1Better is a dry morsel, and quietness with it, than a house full of feasting with strife. 2A servant who deals wisely shall have rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have part in the inheritance among the brothers. 3The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but Jehovah tries the hearts. 4An evildoer gives heed to wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue. 5He who mocks a poor man reproaches his maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished. 6Son's sons are the crown of old men, and the glory of sons are their fathers. 7Excellent speech is not appropriate to a fool, much less lying lips to a prince. 8A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who has it; wherever it turns, it prospers. 9He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates chief friends. 10A rebuke enters deeper into him who has understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool. 11An evil man seeks only rebellion. Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. 12Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, rather than a fool in his folly. 13He who rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house. 14The beginning of strife is like letting out water. Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling. 15He who justifies a wicked man, and he who condemns a righteous man, both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah. 16Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding? 17A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. 18A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes surety in the presence of his neighbor. 19He loves transgression who loves strife. He who raises high his gate seeks destruction. 20He who has a wayward heart finds no good, and he who has a perverse tongue falls into mischief. 21He who begets a fool it is to his sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy. 22A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones. 23A wicked man receives a bribe out of the bosom, to pervert the ways of justice. 24Wisdom is before the face of him who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth. 25A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him. 26Also to punish a righteous man is not good, nor to smite nobles for uprightness. 27He who spares his words has knowledge, and he who is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding. 28Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is considered wise. When he shuts his lips, he is prudent.