Proverbs
Introduction

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31

Good Stuff
Absurdities
Injustice
Contradictions
Cruelty and Violence
Women
Interpretation
Family Values
Science and History
Language
Sex
Intolerance
Politics
Commandments

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Proverbs: Good Stuff

  1. "My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother." 1:8

  2. "Incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding." 2:2

  3. "When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: To deliver thee from the way of the evil man." 2:10-12

  4. A beautiful proverb about mercy and truth. 3:3

  5. Some nice words about wisdom. 3:13-18

  6. "Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding."
    A special anthem was composed from these words for Darwin's funeral at Westminster Abbey. 3:13

  7. "Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it." 3:27

  8. Help your neighbor, if you can. 3:28

  9. Don't devise plots against your neighbor, fight without cause, or imitate an oppressor. 3:29-31

  10. "The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools." 3:35

  11. "Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not." 4:5

  12. "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding." 4:7

  13. Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away." 4:14-15

  14. "The path of the just is as the shining light." 4:18

  15. Speak plainly and honestly to others. 4:24

  16. "Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee." 4:25

  17. "Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established." 4:26

  18. "Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil." 4:27

  19. "Rejoice with the wife of thy youth.... Let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love." 5:18-19

  20. "Why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?" 5:20

  21. Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry. 6:30

  22. Wisdom is better than wealth. Nothing else compares with it. 8:11

  23. "A wise son maketh a glad father." 10:1, 15:20, 23:24, 29:3

  24. "Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins." 10:12

  25. "In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found." 10:13

  26. "Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction." 10:14

  27. "He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool." 10:18

  28. "When pride cometh, then cometh shame." 11:2

  29. "He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace." 11:12

  30. "A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. 11:13

  31. "The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh." Okay, I don't know about the soul stuff, but I like the general idea. 11:17

  32. "He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind." A nice thought and a great movie. 11:29

  33. "Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge." 12:1

  34. Be kind to animals. (Don't eat them.) 12:10

  35. "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise." 12:15

  36. "He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit." 12:17

  37. "The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment." 12:19

  38. "Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad." 12:25

  39. "A wise son heareth his father's instruction." 13:1

  40. "There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches." 13:7

  41. "Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life." 13:12

  42. "The law of the wise is a fountain of life." 13:14

  43. "Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly." 13:16

  44. "The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil." 13:19

  45. "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise." 13:20

  46. "A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies." 14:5

  47. "Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge." 14:7

  48. "The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit." 14:8

  49. "The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy." 14:10

  50. "Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness." 14:13

  51. "The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going." 14:15

  52. A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident." 14:16

  53. He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated." 14:17

  54. The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge." 14:18

  55. The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends." 14:20

  56. "He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he." 14:21

  57. "Do they not err that devise evil?" 14:22

  58. "A deceitful witness speaketh lies." 14:25

  59. "He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly." 14:29

  60. Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known." 14:33

  61. "A soft answer turneth away wrath." 15:1

  62. "The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness." 15:2

  63. "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit." 15:4

  64. "The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so." 15:7

  65. "A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken." 15:13

  66. "The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness." 15:14

  67. "All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast." 15:15

  68. "Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith." 15:17

  69. "A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife." 15:18

  70. "The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns." 15:19

  71. Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom." 15:21

  72. "The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise." 15:31

  73. "He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding." 15:32

  74. "How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!" 16:16

  75. "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." 16:18

  76. "The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning." 16:21

  77. "Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly." 16:22

  78. The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips." 16:23

  79. Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones." 16:24

  80. "A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends." 16:28

  81. "The hoary head [gray hair] is a crown of glory." 16:31

  82. "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city." 16:32

  83. "A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." 17:17

  84. "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." 17:22

  85. "Wisdom is before him that hath understanding." 17:24

  86. He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit." 17:27

  87. "Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding." 17:28

  88. "A fool hath no delight in understanding." 18:2

  89. "The wellspring of wisdom [is] as a flowing brook." 18:4

  90. "A fool's mouth is his destruction." 18:7

  91. "The words of a talebearer are as wounds." 18:8

  92. "He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster." 18:9

  93. "The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit." 18:11

  94. "Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility." 18:12

  95. "He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him." 18:13

  96. "The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge." 18:15

  97. A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." 18:24

  98. "Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool." 19:1

  99. "The soul be without knowledge, it is not good." 19:2

  100. "Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour." 19:4

  101. "Every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts." 19:6

  102. "He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good." 19:8

  103. "The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression." 19:11

  104. "Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger." 19:15

  105. "Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise." 19:20

  106. "The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar." 19:22

  107. "A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again"
    I'm not sure what this means exactly, but I like to quote it to my son. 19:24

  108. "Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge." 19:27

  109. "The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing." 20:4

  110. "Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right." 20:11

  111. "Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty." 20:13

  112. "The lips of knowledge are a precious jewel." 20:15

  113. "Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel." 20:17

  114. "He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips." 20:19

  115. "When the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge." 21:11

  116. "Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard." 21:13

  117. "The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead." 21:16

  118. "Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles." 21:23

  119. "Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath." 21:24

  120. "The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour." 21:25

  121. "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches." 22:1

  122. "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." 22:6

  123. "Hear the words of the wise." 22:7

  124. "He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor." 22:9

  125. "He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want."
    A verse for the 47%. 22:16

  126. Don't rob the poor or oppress the afflicted. 22:22

  127. "Labour not to be rich." 23:4

  128. "Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge." 23:12

  129. "My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice." 23:15

  130. "Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old." 23:22

  131. Find the truth and hang on to it; Value wisdom, instruction, and understanding 23:23

  132. Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. 24:1

  133. A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. 24:5

  134. "If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small." 24:10

  135. My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:. So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul." 24:13-14

  136. "Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth." 24:17

  137. "Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked." 24:19

  138. "Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips." 24:28

  139. "Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work." 24:30-32

  140. "I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction." 24:29

  141. "Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end." 25:8

  142. "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." 25:11

  143. "As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear." 25:12

  144. "Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain." 25:14

  145. "A soft tongue breaketh the bone." 25:15

  146. "Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it." 25:16

  147. "Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee." 25:17

  148. "A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow." 25:18

  149. "Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint." 25:19

  150. "As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart." 25:20

  151. "If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head" 25:21-22

  152. "As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country." 25:25

  153. "It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory." 25:27

  154. "He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls." 25:28

  155. "As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool." 26:1

  156. "Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him." 26:12

  157. "As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed." 26:14

  158. "The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth." 26:15

  159. The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason. 26:16

  160. "He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears." 26:17

  161. Don't stir up trouble with rumours and gossip. 26:20-22

  162. "He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; When he speaketh fair, believe him not." 26:24-25

  163. "Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him." 26:27

  164. "A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin." 26:28

  165. "Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." 27:1

  166. "Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips." 27:2

  167. "Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?" 27:4

  168. "Open rebuke is better than secret love." 27:5

  169. "Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." 27:6

  170. "The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet." 27:7

  171. "Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel." 27:9

  172. "Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not." 27:10a

  173. "Better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off." 27:10b

  174. "My son, be wise, and make my heart glad." 27:11

  175. "Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him." 27:22

  176. "Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds." Take care of your animals. 27:23

  177. "By a man of understanding and knowledge the state ... shall be prolonged." 28:2

  178. "Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich." 28:6

  179. "The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out." 28:11

  180. "As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people." 28:15

  181. "Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father." 29:3

  182. "A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet." 29:5

  183. "The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it." 29:7

  184. "A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards." 29:11

  185. "Where there is no vision, the people perish." 29:18

  186. "Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him." 29:20

  187. "An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression." 29:22

  188. "A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit." 29:23

  189. As a sailor and birdwatcher, I agree with this proverb that says that the way a ship sails and an eagle flies are two of the most wonderful things. 30:18-19

  190. "Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more." 31:6-7

  191. “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” (NIV) 31:8-9