Proverbs 18

1 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends

and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.

2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding

but delight in airing their own opinions.

3 When wickedness comes, so does contempt,

and with shame comes reproach.

4 The words of the mouth are deep waters,

but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.

5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked

and so deprive the innocent of justice.

6 The lips of fools bring them strife,

and their mouths invite a beating.

7 The mouths of fools are their undoing,

and their lips are a snare to their very lives.

8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;

they go down to the inmost parts.

9 One who is slack in his work

is brother to one who destroys.

10 The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;

the righteous run to it and are safe.

11 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city;

they imagine it a wall too high to scale.

12 Before a downfall the heart is haughty,

but humility comes before honor.

13 To answer before listening—

that is folly and shame.

14 The human spirit can endure in sickness,

but a crushed spirit who can bear?