Chapter 15

A gentle answer is a quarrel averted; a word that gives pain does but fan the flame of resentment.

The speech of the wise is learning’s ornament; the fool babbles on.

Go where thou wilt, the Lord’s eye is watching; good nor evil escapes his scrutiny.

Tongue that speaks peaceably is a tree whose fruit gives life; tongue undisciplined can break hearts.

He is a fool that makes light of his father’s warnings; would he but listen to reproof, he should be prudent yet. (Might is most where right is most; root and branch the sinner shall be plucked up.1)

The just man’s home guards its treasure well; the hopes of the wicked are all confusion.

The talk of the wise is a seed-ground of learning; the thoughts of fools are ill matched with it.

From the wicked man’s sacrifice the Lord turns away with loathing; only the just with their vows win his favour.

The whole course of the sinner’s life he cannot brook; pursue the right, if thou wouldst win his love.

Forsake the right path, and correction shall seem hard to thee; grow weary of reproof, and thy life shall pay for it.

Shall the Lord read the secrets of the devouring grave, and not men’s hearts?

Warn the headstrong, and thou wilt get no thanks for it; not for him the company of the wise.

Gay heart, gay looks; sad thoughts crush the spirit.

Truth is the quest of discerning minds, trifling the pasture-ground of the foolish.

To the friendless, every day brings trouble, but every day is a feast-day to a contented heart.

Better a humble lot, and the fear of the Lord present, than great riches that leave a man unsatisfied.

Better sit down to a dish of herbs seasoned with charity, than feast on a fattened ox in ill-will.

Any brawler can provoke a quarrel; it needs a patient man to lay it by.

Idleness finds ever a hedge of thorns in its path; the man of duty walks on unhampered.

A father well content, a mother slighted, tell of a son’s wisdom or mortal folly.

A man of little sense is in love with his follies; prudence keeps to its chosen path.

Counsel lacking, all designs go amiss; with the advice of many, they should have thriven.

There are times when a counsellor has good cause to be proud; nothing better than the right word spoken.

A mind well schooled sees the way of life stretching upwards, leading away from the pit beneath.

A house where pride reigns the Lord will pull down at last; will have no encroaching on the lands of the friendless widow.

The schemes of wickedness he abhors; the dreams of innocence he loves, and brings true.

Let avarice lead thee away, thy home shall be ruined; long life is his, who scorns the bribe. (Kindness and honour are sin’s purging; ever it is the fear of the Lord turns men away from harm.3)

Attentive and docile is the upright heart; from the lips of the wicked comes mischief in full flood.

From the wicked, the Lord withholds his presence, listens only to the prayer of the just.

The eye that smiles, how it cheers the heart! Good news, how it lends vigour to a man’s frame!

A man’s ear once attentive to the discipline that brings life, no company shall be welcome thenceforward, but the wise.

He holds his life cheap, that will not listen to a warning; heed reproof, and be master of thy soul.

It is the fear of the Lord teaches the lessons of wisdom; humility goes first, and honour comes in her train.