Proverbs 17

Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

It's more peaceful to have a small, simple meal in tranquility than a grand feast in a house filled with conflict and tension.

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

A wise servant will rule over a son who brings shame, and will share in the inheritance as one of the brothers.

The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.

Just as silver is purified in a melting pot and gold in a furnace, so does the Lord test the sincerity of our hearts.

A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.

A person who does wrong is easily swayed by lies, and a liar is quick to listen to gossip.

Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

If you ridicule the less fortunate, you insult their Creator. And if you rejoice in others' misfortunes, you won't escape punishment.

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

Grandchildren are the joy and pride of their grandparents; and children find their honor in the love and respect they have for their fathers.

Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

A fool doesn't sound wise when he speaks eloquently, and a leader sounds even worse when he lies.

A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

A bribe is like a lucky charm to the one who gives it; wherever he turns, it seems to bring him success.

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

If you forgive a mistake, you're showing love; but if you keep bringing it up, you're pushing friends away.

A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.

A wise person learns more from a single correction than a fool from a hundred punishments.

An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

A wicked man wants nothing but rebellion, so a merciless messenger will be sent against him.

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

It's better to face an angry mother bear than to deal with a fool caught up in his foolishness.

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

Whoever repays kindness with cruelty, will forever be haunted by misfortune in their home.

The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

Starting a fight is like releasing a flood; so stop the disagreement before it gets out of control.

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

God deeply despises those who defend the guilty and condemn the innocent.

Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?

Why would a fool pay for wisdom when he doesn't value or understand it?

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

A true friend loves you always, and a sibling is there for you during tough times.

A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.

A man lacking wisdom shakes hands on a pledge, putting up security for his friend's debt.

He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.

Those who enjoy conflict are in love with their own wrongdoings, and those who boast excessively are inviting their own downfall.

He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.

A crooked heart finds no good, and a twisted tongue invites trouble.

He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.

Having a foolish child brings a parent grief; a father finds no happiness in a foolish son.

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

A joyful heart heals like a remedy, but a crushed spirit can drain you to your core.

A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

A corrupt person accepts bribes, twisting justice for their own gain.

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

One who is wise always has insight within reach, but a fool's gaze is lost in distant distractions.

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

A son who acts foolishly breaks his father's heart and brings sorrow to the mother who gave him life.

Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.

It's unfair to penalize the innocent and wrong to punish leaders who are just.

He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

A wise person speaks less but says more; a truly insightful person keeps a calm spirit.

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

Even a fool seems wise when silent, and a closed mouth can make one appear insightful.