Proverbs 18

1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh And intermeddleth with all wisdom. 2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, But that his heart may discover itself. 3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, And with ignominy reproach. 4 The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, And the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. 5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, To overthrow the righteous in judgment. 6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calleth for strokes. 7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul. 8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, And they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. 9 He also that is slothful in his work Is brother to him that is a great waster. 10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: The righteous runneth into it, and is safe. 11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And as a high wall in his own conceit. 12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, And before honour is humility. 13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, It is folly and shame unto him. 14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a wounded spirit who can bear? 15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. 16 A man’s gift maketh room for him, And bringeth him before great men. 17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; But his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. 18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth between the mighty. 19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: And their contentions are like the bars of a castle. 20 A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; And with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. 22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, And obtaineth favour of the Lord. 23 The poor useth intreaties; But the rich answereth roughly. 24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: And there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.