Proverbs 17:25-Proverbs 18:8 - How Fools Live

²⁵
A foolish son is a grief and anguish to his father
And bitterness to her who gave birth to him.

²⁶
It is also not good to fine the righteous,
Nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.

²⁷
He who has knowledge restrains and is careful with his words,
And a man of understanding and wisdom has a cool spirit (self-control, an even temper).

²⁸
Even a [callous, arrogant] fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise;
When he closes his lips he is regarded as sensible (prudent, discreet) and a man of understanding.

¹ He who [willfully] separates himself [from God and man] seeks his own desire,
He quarrels against all sound wisdom.

²
A [closed-minded] fool does not delight in understanding,
But only in revealing his personal opinions [unwittingly displaying his self-indulgence and his stupidity].

³
When the wicked man comes [to the depth of evil], contempt [of all that is pure and good] also comes,
And with inner baseness (dishonor) comes outer shame (scorn).

⁴
The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters [copious and difficult to fathom];
The fountain of [mature, godly] wisdom is like a bubbling stream [sparkling, fresh, pure, and life-giving].

⁵
To show respect to the wicked person is not good,
Nor to push aside and deprive the righteous of justice.

⁶
A fool’s lips bring contention and strife,
And his mouth invites a beating.

⁷
A fool’s mouth is his ruin,
And his lips are the snare of his soul.

⁸
The words of a whisperer (gossip) are like dainty morsels [to be greedily eaten];
They go down into the innermost chambers of the body [to be remembered and mused upon].