Proverbs

A Wise Son Heeds his Father's Instruction

¹A WISE son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke. ²A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the treacherous shall eat violence. ³He that guardeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. ⁴The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. ⁵A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame. ⁶Righteousness guardeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner. ⁷There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great wealth. ⁸The ransom of a man's life is his riches: but the poor heareth no threatening. ⁹The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out. ¹⁰By pride cometh only contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. ¹¹Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall have increase. ¹²Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. ¹³Whoso despiseth the word bringeth destruction on himself: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded. ¹⁴The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. ¹⁵Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of the treacherous is rugged. ¹⁶Every prudent man worketh with knowledge: but a fool spreadeth out folly. ¹⁷A wicked messenger falleth into evil: but a faithful ambassador is health. ¹⁸Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth correction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured. ¹⁹The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil. ²⁰Walk with wise men, and thou shalt be wise: but the companion of fools shall smart for it. ²¹Evil pursueth sinners: but the righteous shall be recompensed with good. ²²A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children; and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the righteous. ²³Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed by reason of injustice. ²⁴He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. ²⁵The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.