Proverbs 17

Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness

1 Better a dry crust with peace than a house full of feasting and fighting.

2 A wise servant will rule over a shameful son and share in the inheritance.

3 The refining pot tests silver, the furnace tests gold, but the Lord tests hearts.

4 A wicked person listens to evil lips; liars tune in to lies.

5 Whoever mocks the poor insults their Maker; whoever laughs at disaster will not go unpunished.

6 Grandkids are the pride of the old, and parents the glory of their children.

7 Fine speech does not fit a fool; lies do not fit a ruler.

8 A bribe looks like magic to the giver, wherever he turns, he prospers.

9 Whoever covers an offense seeks love; whoever repeats it breaks up friends.

10 A rebuke makes more impact on a wise man than a hundred lashes on a fool.

11 Evil people only seek rebellion, so a cruel messenger will be sent against them.

12 Better meet a mama bear robbed of her cubs than a fool acting wild.

13 If someone repays good with evil, trouble will not leave his house.

14 Starting a quarrel like opening a dam, stop it before it breaks loose.

15 The Lord hates both, the one who justifies the wicked and the one who condemns the innocent.

16 What is the point of a fool buying wisdom if he has got no heart for it,

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

18 A man with no sense shakes hands on a bad deal, guaranteeing another’s debt.

19 Whoever loves a fight loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.

20 A twisted heart will not find success; a lying tongue falls into trouble.

21 A fool gives birth to sorrow; the father of a fool gets no joy.

22 A cheerful heart good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries the bones.

23 The wicked accept bribes in secret to twist justice.

24 Wisdom in front of the discerning, but a fool’s eyes wander everywhere.

25 A foolish son grief to his father, bitterness to the one who bore him.

26 It is not right to punish the righteous or flog honest leaders.

27 Whoever controls his words has knowledge; whoever stays cool got understanding.

28 Even a fool looks smart if he keeps quiet; shut his mouth, and people call him wise.