Chapter 18

Through desire a man, having separated¹² himself, seeketh¹⁷ [and] intermeddleth¹⁰¹ with all wisdom.

A fool hath no delight⁴ in understanding, but that his heart may discover⁹⁹ itself.

When the wicked cometh,² [then] cometh¹ also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.

The words of a man's mouth [are as] deep waters, [and] the wellspring of wisdom [as] a flowing⁶ brook.

[It is] not good to accept² the person of the wicked, to overthrow⁵³ the righteous in judgment.

A fool's lips enter⁴ into contention, and his mouth calleth⁴ for strokes.

A fool's mouth [is] his destruction, and his lips [are] the snare of his soul.

The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds,¹⁰² and they go down¹ into the innermost parts of the belly.

He also that is slothful¹⁰² in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.⁵⁶

The name of the LORD [is] a strong tower: the righteous runneth⁴ into it, and is safe.⁸

The rich man's wealth [is] his strong city, and as an high¹² wall in his own conceit.

Before destruction the heart of man is haughty,⁴ and before honour [is] humility.

He that answereth⁵⁶ a matter before he heareth⁴ [it], it [is] folly and shame unto him.

The spirit of a man will sustain⁴⁶ his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?⁴

The heart of the prudent¹² getteth⁴ knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh¹⁷ knowledge.

A man's gift maketh room⁵⁵ for him, and bringeth⁵⁵ him before great men.

[He that is] first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh^{1 935 4} and searcheth¹ him.

The lot causeth contentions to cease,⁵⁵ and parteth⁵⁵ between the mighty.

A brother offended¹² [is harder to be won] than a strong city: and [their] contentions ⁴⁰⁶⁶ [are] like the bars of a castle.

A man's belly shall be satisfied⁴ with the fruit of his mouth; [and] with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.⁴

Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love⁶ it shall eat⁴ the fruit thereof.

[Whoso] findeth¹ a wife findeth¹ a good [thing], and obtaineth⁵⁵ favour of the LORD.

The poor⁶ useth¹⁷ intreaties; but the rich answereth⁴ roughly.

A man [that hath] friends must shew himself friendly:¹¹¹ and there is a friend⁶ [that] sticketh closer than a brother.