1If you are smart,

you will know

when to keep quiet

and when to criticize.

2It is better to speak up

than to let anger

eat away at you.

3When you are wrong, admit it,

and you will save yourself

a lot of trouble.

4If a man is unable to have sex,

he can't be forced to do so;

but it seems harder to force

some people to do right.

Things Might Not Be As They Seem

5People who talk too much

are not well liked,

but people who keep quiet

are often considered wise.

6Their silence may just mean

they have nothing to say.

Or it may mean they are waiting

for the right time to speak,

7and that is true wisdom.

But fools who always talk

about themselves

are never quiet.

8They are disgusting,

and others who grab for power

also earn our hatred.

9Sometimes our troubles

end up helping us,

and other times, good luck

turns out to be bad.

10Often a gift

isn't really helpful,

and when some people give,

they expect to be repaid

twice what the gift is worth.

11If you search for glory

you may lose what you have,

but success can come to those

who had humble beginnings.

12What seems to be a bargain

may cost you seven times

what it is worth.

13People love to hear

wise people speak.

But fools, though polite,

are still fools,

14and you would be better off

without gifts from them,

because they will expect you

to give even more in return.

15A small gift, they think,

gives them the right

to criticize--loudly.

Today, they make a loan;

tomorrow, they ask

for their money back.

I cannot stand people like this!

16Fools think they have no friends

and that no one appreciates

their good deeds.

They invite you over for a meal

but believe that you will later

say bad things about them.

17They deserve to be mocked,

and few people

will pass up the chance.

18It is better to slip and fall

than to suffer a slip

of the tongue.

And something that small

can bring sudden disaster

to those who are evil.

19A rude person is disgusting,

just like the dirty stories

ignorant people tell.

20Everyone ignores a proverb

repeated by a fool,

because fools never choose

the right one.

21You may be too poor

to commit some sins,

but you can sleep at night

with a clear conscience.

22Have a little self-respect

and don't act like a fool,

or you may risk disaster.

23Broken promises turn friends

into enemies,

so do not make promises

that you cannot keep.

24The ignorant are always lying,

not knowing that telling a lie

leaves an ugly scar.

25Liars are worse than thieves,

but both are on the road

to destruction.

26Telling lies brings disgrace

and shame that never ends.

Some Proverbs

27If you are wise

and want to succeed,

you will try to please

those in power.

28If you plow and plant,

you will harvest a crop,

and if you please the powerful,

they will overlook

your mistakes.

29Favors and gifts keep the wise

from seeing the truth

and muzzle the mouths of those

who criticize.

* 30Wisdom kept secret

and wealth never used

do not help anybody,

31but a fool does best

to keep foolishness hidden.