Proverbs

²²A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones. [Prov. 12:25; 15:13, 15.] ²³A wicked man receives a bribe out of the bosom (pocket) to pervert the ways of justice. ²⁴A man of understanding sets skillful and godly Wisdom before his face, but the eyes of a [self-confident] fool are on the ends of the earth. ²⁵A self-confident and foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him. ²⁶Also, to punish or fine the righteous is not good, nor to smite the noble for their uprightness. ²⁷He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding has a cool spirit. [James 1:19.] ²⁸Even a fool when he holds his peace is considered wise; when he closes his lips he is esteemed a man of understanding.