Proverbios 18

¹ An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment. 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 name of Yahweh 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 honor is humility. ¹³ He who gives answer 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; and disputes are like the bars of a castle. 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 favor of Yahweh. 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.