Proverbs 17

1 Better [is] a dry morsel, and quietness with it, than a house full of sacrifices [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 fining-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 naughty tongue.

5 He that mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; [and] he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

6 Children's children [are] the crown of old men; and the glory of children [is] 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 [very] friends.

10 A reproof entereth more 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 bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

13 Whoever rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

14 The beginning of strife [is as] when one letteth out water: therefore withdraw from contention, before it be meddled with.

15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both [are] abomination to the LORD.

16 Why [is there] a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing [he hath] no heart [to it]?

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

18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, [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 mischief.

21 He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] 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 gift 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] in 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 equity.

27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: [and] a man of understanding is of an excellent 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.