14. The mind of him who has understanding seeks knowledge and inquires after and craves it, but the mouth of the [self-confident] fool feeds on folly. [Isa. 32:6.]
15. All the days of the desponding and afflicted are made evil [by anxious thoughts and forebodings], but he who has a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of circumstances].
16. Better is little with the reverent, worshipful fear of the Lord than great and rich treasure and trouble with it. [Ps. 37:16; Prov. 16:8; I Tim. 6:6.]
17. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fatted ox and hatred with it. [Prov. 17:1.]
18. A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger appeases contention.
19. The way of the sluggard is overgrown with thorns [it pricks, lacerates, and entangles him], but the way of the righteous is plain and raised like a highway.
20. A wise son makes a glad father, but a self-confident and foolish man despises his mother and puts her to shame.
21. Folly is pleasure to him who is without heart and sense, but a man of understanding walks uprightly [making straight his course]. [Eph. 5:15.]
22. Where there is no counsel, purposes are frustrated, but with many counselors they are accomplished.
23. A man has joy in making an apt answer, and a word spoken at the right moment–how good it is!
24. The path of the wise leads upward to life, that he may avoid [the gloom] in the depths of Sheol (Hades, the place of the dead). [Phil. 3:20; Col. 3:1, 2.]
25. The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but He makes secure the boundaries of the [consecrated] widow.