A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath

1A mild answer breaketh wrath: but a harsh word stirreth up fury.

2The tongue of the wise adorneth knowledge: but the mouth of fools bubbleth out folly.

3The eyes of the Lord in every place behold the good and the evil.

4A peaceable tongue is a tree of life: but that which is immoderate, shall crush the spirit.

5A fool laugheth at the instruction of his father: but he that regardeth reproofs shall become prudent. In abundant justice there is the greatest strength: but the devices of the wicked shall be rooted out.

6The house of the just is very much strength: and in the fruits of the wicked is trouble.

7The lips of the wise shall disperse knowledge: the heart of fools shall be unlike.

8The victims of the wicked are abominable to the Lord: the vows of the just are acceptable.

9The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: he that followeth justice is beloved by him.

10Instruction is grievous to him that forsaketh the way of life: he that hateth reproof shall die.

11Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more the hearts of the children of men?

12A corrupt man loveth not one that reproveth him: nor will he go to the wise.

13A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by grief of mind the spirit is cast down.

14The heart of the wise seeketh instruction: and the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

15All the days of the poor are evil: a secure mind is like a continual feast.

16Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures without content.

17It is better to be invited to herbs with love, than to a fatted calf with hatred.

18A passionate man stirreth up strifes: he that is patient appeaseth those that are stirred up.

19The way of the slothful is as a hedge of thorns: the way of the just is without offence.

20A wise son maketh a father joyful: but the foolish man despiseth his mother.

21Folly is joy to the fool: and the wise man maketh straight his steps.

22Designs are brought to nothing where there is no counsel: but where there are many counsellors, they are established.

23A man rejoiceth in the sentence of his mouth: and a word in due time is best.

24The path of life is above for the wise, that he may decline from the lowest hell.

25The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: and will strengthen the borders of the widow.

26Evil thoughts are an abomination to the Lord: and pure words most beautiful shall be confirmed by him.

27He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house: but he that hateth bribes shall live. By mercy and faith sins are purged away: and by the fear of the Lord every one declineth from evil.

28The mind of the just studieth obedience: the mouth of the wicked overfloweth with evils.

29The Lord is far from the wicked: and he will hear the prayers of the just.

30The light of the eyes rejoiceth the soul: a good name maketh the bones fat.

31The ear that heareth the reproofs of life, shall abide in the midst of the wise.

32He that rejecteth instruction, despiseth his own soul: but he that yieldeth to reproof, possesseth understanding.

33The fear of the Lord is the lesson of wisdom: and humility goeth before glory.