[1] Better is a dry morsel with quietness, Than a house full of feasting with strife. [2] A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame, And will share an inheritance among the brothers. [3] The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests the hearts. [4] An evildoer gives heed to false lips; A liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue. [5] He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished. [6] Children’s children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father. [7] Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, Much less lying lips to a prince. [8] A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor; Wherever he turns, he prospers. [9] He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends. [10] Rebuke is more effective for a wise man Than a hundred blows on a fool. [11] An evil man seeks only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him. [12] Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his folly. [13] Whoever rewards evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house. [14] The beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts. [15] He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord. [16] Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom, Since he has no heart for it? [17] A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. [18] A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge, And becomes surety for his friend. [19] He who loves transgression loves strife, And he who exalts his gate seeks destruction. [20] He who has a deceitful heart finds no good, And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil. [21] He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy. [22] A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones. [23] A wicked man accepts a bribe behind the back To pervert the ways of justice. [24] Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth. [25] A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her who bore him. [26] Also, to punish the righteous is not good, Nor to strike princes for their uprightness. [27] He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. [28] Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.