22 A joyful soul makes a lifetime flourish. A gloomy spirit dries out the bones.
23 The impious receives gifts from the bosom, so that he may pervert the paths of judgment.
24 Prudence shines from the face of the wise. The eyes of the foolish are on the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is the anger of the father and the grief of the mother who conceived him.
26 It is not good to inflict damage on the just, nor to strike the leader who judges uprightly.
27 Whoever moderates his words is learned and prudent. And a man of learning has a precious spirit.
28 If he would remain silent, even the foolish would be considered wise, and if he closes his lips, intelligent.