12 Those who aren’t cleverwon’t receive instruction,but there is a kind of clevernessthat makes troubles multiply.
13 The knowledge of the wisewill increase like a flood,and their counsel is likea stream of life.
14 The mind of a fool is like a broken jar:it can’t hold knowledge.
15 If those who understandhear a wise word;they will praise it and add to it.Those who like to indulge themselveshear it and are displeased,and they turn their back on it.
16 A fool’s endless talkis a burden while on a journey,but grace will be foundon the lips of the intelligent.
17 The speech of the prudentwill be sought out in an assembly,and its members will take their wordsto heart.
18 Like a house in disrepair,so is wisdom to the foolish,and the knowledge of ignorant peoplewill not stand up to examination.