1 A dry crust of bread eatenin peace and quietis better than a feast eatenwhere everyone argues.
2 A hard-working slavewill be placed in chargeof a no-good child,and that slave will be giventhe same inheritancethat each child receives.
3 Silver and gold are testedby flames of fire;our thoughts are testedby the Lord.
4 Troublemakers listento troublemakers,and liars listen to liars.
5 By insulting the poor,you insult your Creator.You will be punishedif you make funof someone in trouble.
6 Grandparents are proudof their grandchildren,and children should be proudof their parents.
7 It sounds strange for a foolto talk sensibly,but it's even worsefor a ruler to tell lies.
8 A bribe works miracleslike a magic charmthat brings good luck.
9 You will keep your friendsif you forgive them,but you will lose your friendsif you keep talking aboutwhat they did wrong.
10 A sensible personaccepts correction,but you can't beat senseinto a fool.
11 Cruel people want to rebel,and so vicious attackerswill be sent against them.
12 A bear robbed of her cubsis far less dangerousthan a stubborn fool.
13 You will always have troubleif you are mean to thosewho are good to you.
14 The start of an argumentis like a water leak—so stop it beforereal trouble breaks out.
15 The Lord doesn't like thosewho defend the guiltyor condemn the innocent.
16 Why should fools have moneyfor an educationwhen they refuse to learn?
17 A friend is always a friend,and relatives are bornto share our troubles.
18 It's stupid to guaranteesomeone else's loan.
19 The wicked and the proudlove trouble and keep beggingto be hurt.
20 Dishonesty does you no good,and telling lieswill get you in trouble.
21 It's never pleasantto be the parent of a fooland have nothing but pain.
22 If you are cheerful,you feel good;if you are sad,you hurt all over.
23 Crooks accept secret bribesto keep justicefrom being done.
24 Anyone with wisdom knowswhat makes good sense,but fools can nevermake up their minds.
25 Foolish children bring sorrowto their fatherand pain to their mother.
26 It isn't fairto punish the innocentand those who do right.
27 It makes a lot of senseto be a person of few wordsand to stay calm.
28 Even fools seem cleverwhen they are quiet.