16 Fools say, "I don’t have a friend,and there’s no gratitudefor my good deeds."Those who eat the bread of such peoplehave mean tongues.
17 How many will ridicule them,and how often?
18 A slip on the pavement is preferableto a slip of the tongue;so the downfall of evil peoplewill come quickly.
19 A disagreeable person, an untimely story—it will always bein the mouth of the uneducated.
20 Proverbs told by fools will be rejected,because they’ll never tell themat their proper time.
21 Some are prevented from sinningbecause of poverty,and their conscience won’t be painedwhen they rest.
22 Some destroy their life through shame,and they destroy itbecause of foolish appearances.