Chapter 14

It is by woman’s wisdom a home thrives; a foolish wife pulls it down about her ears.

Does a man fear the Lord? He holds an even course; the knave has little regard for him.

Pride burgeons from the lips of fools; in modesty of speech the wise find safety.

No need for a full crib, where oxen are none; yet ever rich harvest tells of the ox at work.

It is a faithful witness that never lies; the perjurer breathes out lies continually.

Vainly the rash aspire to wisdom; the discerning come by their knowledge with little pains.

Go thy way, and let the fool go his; good sense is a strange language to him.

Prudence picks its way wisely; the fool blunders and is lost.

Fools make light of the guilt that needs atonement, and leave honest men to enjoy the Lord’s favour.

Heart’s bitterness none may know but the heart that feels it; no prying stranger can tell when it finds relief.

Fall it must, the house of the wicked; where the upright dwell, all is increase.

The right road in a man’s thinking may be one whose goal is death.

Joy blends with grief, and laughter marches with tears.

The incorrigible shall have a taste of his own ill-doings, and honest men shall have the better of him.

The simpleton takes all on trust; wisdom considers each step. (A treacherous son no part shall have; better shall a wise servant thrive and prosper.3)

Caution teaches the wise to shun danger; the fool is carried away by rash confidence.

The impatient man blunders, as surely as the schemer makes enemies.

Folly is the simpleton’s heirloom; skill crowns the wise.

Vice lies prostrate before virtue, the sinner at the gates of the just.

Of the beggar, his own neighbours grow weary; wealth never lacks friends.

Shame on the man who holds his neighbour in contempt; mercy to the poor brings a blessing. (Mercy he loves, who puts his trust in the Lord.4)

They follow a false path, that plot mischief; mercy and faithfulness mercy and faith shall find.

Hard work is sure wealth; of chattering comes only poverty.

Made rich, the wise are crowned, the folly of the thoughtless will be folly yet.

Men owe their lives to truthful witnesses; the very breath of the perjurer is treason.

The fear of the Lord gives strong confidence, bequeaths hope from the father to the children.

The fear of the Lord is a fountain where men may drink life, far removed from all mortal peril.

Great people, great king; it is for want of men crowns are lost.

Patience comes of sovereign prudence, impatience of unchecked folly.

Peace of mind is health of body; more than all else, envy wastes the frame.

He who oppresses the poor, insults man’s Maker; him if thou wouldst honour, take pity on human need.

When the wicked is paid in his own coin, there is an end of him; at death’s door, the just still hope.

In the discerning heart, wisdom finds a resting-place; even among fools it can impart learning.

Duty well done, a whole nation becomes great; suffer whole peoples for guilt incurred.

A king shews favour to a wise servant; disappoint him, and thou shalt feel his anger.