When a crumb is better than a barbecue
1A scrap of crust served with peace and quietBeats a feast at an argument.
2A wise slave can take charge of the master’s disgraced child,
And earn a share of the family inheritance, with the children.
3For silver, it’s the refiner’s crucible.
For gold, it’s the refiner’s furnace.
For the heart, it’s the LORD who purifies. [1]
4Crooked jerks listen to words warped and wicked.
Liars listen for fake news and other liars. [2]
5If you insult the poor, you insult your Maker.
If you celebrate someone else’s tragedy, you’re going to pay for it.
6Grandkids make grandparents proud.
Parents make kids proud.
7A polished speech wouldn’t sound right coming from an idiot.
And a lie sounds even worse coming from a leader.
Bribes work magic
8To bribers, the bribe works like a magical charm,Guaranteeing success in everything they do.
9Overlooking a fault is the loving thing to do.
Nagging about it kills a friendship.
10A stern warning works better on a person with good sense,
Than a hundred butt-kicks to a fool.
11Contrary folks are nothing but trouble.
And they get trouble in return—a cruel attack.
12You’re better off facing a momma bear who lost her babies,
Than a fool doing stupid things.
13If someone does you good, and in return you do them bad,
Say hello to Evil, the newest member of your family.
14Starting an argument is like opening floodgates of a dam.
Before you start what can’t be stopped, stop before you start.
15Some make excuses for bad people and some condemn the good.
Both disgust the LORD.
Wasting money on education
16Why give money to educate a foolWhen common sense is a prerequisite for wisdom?
17A friend will love you all the time.
And a brother will stand by you in tough times.
18You’re out of your mind if you make a promise
Guaranteeing to pay off someone else’s loan, if they don’t.
19People who love to stir up trouble are sinners.
People who build front-door thresholds too high cause injuries. [3]
20Crooked people chase success but never find it.
Liars talk their way into trouble.
21It’s a sad life for parents who brought a fool into the world.
There’s no joy in being parents of a child who acts like an idiot.
22Happiness is good for the health.
A crushed spirit hurts to the bone.
23Corrupt people take secret bribes,
To see that justice isn’t done.
24Wisdom stands directly in front of an intelligent person. [4]
The eyes of a fool can’t seem to focus on anything, near or far.
25Children who act like idiots make their fathers sad
And their mothers bitter.
26It’s wrong to fine an innocent person,
Or to beat leaders who did nothing wrong.
Say little, look smart
27Smart people say little.People with good sense keep their cool.
28Even a fool looks smart when his mouth is shut.
If he doesn’t say anything, he could actually look intelligent.
