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

²⁵ A foolish child is a grief to his father, and bitterness to the mother who bore him.

²⁶ It is terrible to punish a righteous person, and to flog honorable men is wrong.

²⁷ The truly wise person restrains his words, and the one who stays calm is discerning.

²⁸ Even a fool who remains silent is considered wise, and the one who holds his tongue is deemed discerning.

¹ One who has isolated himself seeks his own desires; he rejects all sound judgment.

² A fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only in disclosing what is on his mind.

³ When a wicked person arrives, contempt shows up with him, and with shame comes a reproach.

⁴ The words of a person's mouth are like deep waters, and the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.

⁵ It is terrible to show partiality to the wicked, by depriving a righteous man of justice.

⁶ The lips of a fool enter into strife, and his mouth invites a flogging.

⁷ The mouth of a fool is his ruin, and his lips are a snare for his life.

⁸ The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down into the person's innermost being.