Chapter 17

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

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

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  The fining-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but Jehovah trieth the hearts.  

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  The evil-doer giveth heed to iniquitous lips; the liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.  

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  Whoso mocketh a poor [man] reproacheth his Maker; he that is glad at calamity shall not be held innocent.  

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  Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.  

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  Excellent speech becometh not a vile [man]; how much less do lying lips a noble!  

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  A gift is a precious stone in the eyes of the possessor: whithersoever it turneth it prospereth.  

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  He that covereth transgression seeketh love; but he that bringeth a matter up again separateth very friends.  

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  A reproof entereth more deeply into him that hath understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.  

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  An evil [man] seeketh only rebellion; but a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.  

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

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

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  The beginning of contention is [as] when one letteth out water; therefore leave off strife before it become vehement.  

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  He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, even they both are abomination to Jehovah.  

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  To what purpose is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing [he] hath no sense?  

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

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  A senseless man striketh hands, becoming surety for his neighbour.  

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  He loveth transgression that loveth a quarrel; he that maketh high his gate seeketh destruction.  

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  He that hath a perverse heart findeth no good; and he that shifteth about with his tongue falleth into evil.  

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  He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow, and the father of a vile [man] hath no joy.  

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  A joyful heart promoteth healing; but a broken spirit drieth up the bones.  

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  A wicked [man] taketh a gift out of the bosom, to pervert the paths of judgment.  

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  Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.  

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

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  To punish a righteous [man] is not good, nor to strike nobles because of [their] uprightness.  

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  He that hath knowledge spareth his words; and a man of understanding is of a cool spirit.  

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  Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is reckoned wise, [and] he that shutteth his lips, intelligent.  

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