For her profit is better than the profit of silver
And her gain better than fine gold.

But in the end she is bitter as wormwood,
Sharp as a two-edged sword.

“For wisdom is better than jewels;
And all desirable things cannot compare with her.

“My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold,
And my yield better than choicest silver.

Better is he who is lightly esteemed and has a servant
Than he who honors himself and lacks bread.

Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
Than great treasure and turmoil with it.

Better is a dish of vegetables where love is
Than a fattened ox served with hatred.

Better is a little with righteousness
Than great income with injustice.

How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.

It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly
Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.

Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it
Than a house full of feasting with strife.

Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity
Than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool.

What is desirable in a man is his kindness,
And it is better to be a poor man than a liar.

It is better to live in a corner of a roof
Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

It is better to live in a desert land
Than with a contentious and vexing woman.

A good name is to be more desired than great wealth,
Favor is better than silver and gold.

For it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,”
Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince,
Whom your eyes have seen.

It is better to live in a corner of the roof
Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

Better is open rebuke
Than love that is concealed.

A sated man loathes honey,
But to a famished man any bitter thing is sweet.

Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend,
And do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity;
Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother far away.

Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than he who is crooked though he be rich.

For the churning of milk produces butter,
And pressing the nose brings forth blood;
So the churning of anger produces strife.

Give strong drink to him who is perishing,
And wine to him whose life is bitter.