Chapter 18
1 A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgement.
2 A fool has no delight in understanding , but only in revealing his own opinion .
3 When wickedness comes , contempt also comes , and with shame comes disgrace .
4 The words of a man ’s mouth are like deep waters . The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook .
5 To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good , nor to deprive the innocent of justice .
6 A fool ’s lips come into strife , and his mouth invites beatings.
7 A fool ’s mouth is his destruction , and his lips are a snare to his soul .
8 The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels : they go down into a person’s innermost parts .
9 One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction .
10 The LORD ’s name is a strong tower : the righteous run to him , and are safe .
11 The rich man ’s wealth is his strong city , like an unscalable wall in his own imagination .
12 Before destruction the heart of man is proud , but before honour is humility .
13 He who answers before he hears , that is folly and shame to him .
14 A man ’s spirit will sustain him in sickness , but a crushed spirit , who can bear ?
15 The heart of the discerning gets knowledge . The ear of the wise seeks knowledge .
16 A man ’s gift makes room for him , and brings him before great men .
17 He who pleads his cause first seems right — until another comes and questions him.
18 The lot settles disputes , and keeps strong ones apart .
19 A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city . Disputes are like the bars of a fortress .
20 A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth . With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied .
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue ; those who love it will eat its fruit .
22 Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing , and obtains favour of the LORD .
23 The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly .
24 A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother .