Proverbs 17

1. Better is a dry morsel and quietness therewith than a house full of feasting with strife.

2. A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.

3. The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord trieth the hearts.

4. A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips, and a liar giveth ear to a wicked tongue.

5. Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker, and he that is glad at calamities shall not go unpunished.

6. Children’s children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children are their fathers.

7. Excellent speech becometh not a fool, much less do lying lips a prince.

8. A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

9. He that covereth a transgression seeketh love, but he that repeateth a matter separateth good friends.

10. A reproof entereth deeper into a wise man than a hundred stripes into a fool.

11. An evil man seeketh only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

12. Let a man meet a bear robbed of her whelps, rather than a fool in his folly.

13. Whoso returneth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

14. The beginning of strife is like the letting out of water: therefore break off contention before it is meddled with.

15. He that justifieth the wicked and he that condemneth the just, both alike are an abomination to the Lord.

16. Why should there be in the hands of a fool the price to purchase wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to acquire it?

17. A friend is loving at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

18. A man void of understanding shaketh hands in pledge, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.

19. He loveth transgression that loveth strife, and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.

20. He that hath a froward heart findeth no good, and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into iniquity.

21. He that begetteth a fool doeth so to his sorrow, and the father of a fool hath no joy.

22. A merry heart doeth good like a medicine, but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

23. A wicked man taketh a bribe out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

24. Wisdom is before him that hath understanding, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

25. A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bore him.

26. Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for their equity.

27. He that hath knowledge spareth his words, and a man of understanding is of excelling spirit.

28. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise, and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.