Proverbs 17:7-24 - The Consequences Of Being A Fool
7 Excellent speech does not fit a fool; much less do lying lips a prince.
8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes its owner. He prospers in everything he does.
9 He who covers a transgression seeks love but he who gossips breaks up friendships.
10 Reproof influences a wise man more than a hundred stripes does to a fool.
11 An evil man seeks only rebellion. Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs then a fool in his foolishness.
13 Offer evil for good and evil will not depart from your house.
14 Starting a quarrel is like releasing water [from a floodgate]. Therefore stop contention before it begins.
15 Justify the wicked or condemn the just. Both are abomination to Jehovah.
16 Is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom? He has no sense!
17 A friend loves at all times. A true brother is born for adversity.
18 A man without understanding shakes hands and becomes surety for his friend.
19 He who loves transgression loves discord. He who opens his door seeks destruction.
20 He who has a deceitful heart finds no good. He who has a perverse tongue falls into mischief.
21 He who gives birth to a fool does it to his sorrow because the father of a fool has no joy.
22 A merry heart is good medicine but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
23 A wicked man takes a bribe to pervert the ways of judgment.
24 Wisdom is near the one who understands. But the eyes of a fool are far away at the ends of the earth.