Proverbs 26

1 Before destruction, the heart of a man is exalted: and before he be glorified, it is humbled. 2 He that answereth before he heareth, sheweth himself to be a fool, and worthy of confusion. 3 The spirit of a man upholdeth his infirmity: but a spirit that is easily angered, who can bear? 4 A wise heart shall acquire knowledge: and the ear of the wise seeketh instruction. 5 A man’s gift enlargeth his way, and maketh him room before princes. 6 The just is first accuser of himself: his friend cometh, and shall search him. 7 The lot suppresseth contentions, and determineth even between the mighty. 8 A brother that is helped by his brother, is like a strong city: and judgments are like the bars of cities. 9 Of the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be satisfied: and the offspring of his lips shall fill him. 10 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: they that love it, shall eat the fruits thereof. 11 He that hath found a good wife, hath found a good thing, and shall receive a pleasure from the Lord. He that driveth away a good wife, driveth away a good thing: but he that keepeth an adulteress, is foolish and wicked. 12 The poor will speak with supplications, and the rich will speak roughly. 13 A man amiable in society, shall be more friendly than a brother. 15 Better is the poor man, that walketh in his simplicity, than a rich man that is perverse in his lips and unwise. 16 Where there is no knowledge of the soul, there is no good: and he that is hasty with his feet shall stumble. 17 The folly of a man supplanteth his steps: and he fretteth in his mind against God. 18 Riches make many friends: but from the poor man, even they whom he had, depart. 19 A false witness shall not be unpunished: and he that speaketh lies, shall not escape. 20 Many honour the person of him that is mighty, and are friends of him that giveth gifts. 21 The brethren of the poor man hate him: moreover also his friends have departed far from him. He that followeth after words only, shall have nothing. 22 But he that possesseth a mind, loveth his own soul, and he that keepeth prudence, shall find good things. 23 A false witness shall not be unpunished: and he that speaketh lies, shall perish. 24 Delicacies are not seemly for a fool: nor for a servant to have rule over princes. 25 The learning of a man is known by patience: and his glory is to pass over wrongs. 26 As the roaring of a lion, so also is the anger of a king: and his cheerfulness as the dew upon the grass. 27 A foolish son is the grief of his father: and a wrangling wife is like a roof continually dropping through. 28 House and riches are given by parents: but a prudent wife is properly from the Lord.