1. One who has isolated himself seeks his own desires;he rejects all sound judgment.
2. A fool takes no pleasure in understandingbut only in disclosing what is on his mind.
3. When a wicked person arrives, contempt shows up with him,and with shame comes a reproach.
4. The words of a person’s mouth are like deep waters,and the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
5. It is terrible to show partiality to the wicked,by depriving a righteous man of justice.
6. The lips of a fool enter into strife,and his mouth invites a flogging.
7. The mouth of a fool is his ruin,and his lips are a snare for his life.
8. The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;they go down into the person’s innermost being.
9. The one who is slack in his workis a brother to one who destroys.
10. The name of the Lord is like a strong tower;the righteous person runs to it and is set safely on high.
11. The wealth of a rich person is like a strong city,and it is like a high wall in his imagination.
12. Before destruction the heart of a person is proud,but humility comes before honor.
13. The one who gives an answer before he listens – that is his folly and his shame.
14. A person’s spirit sustains him through sickness – but who can bear a crushed spirit?
15. The discerning person acquires knowledge,and the wise person seeks knowledge.
16. A person’s gift makes room for him,and leads him before important people.
17. The first to state his case seems right,until his opponent begins to cross-examine him.
18. A toss of a coin ends disputes,and settles the issue between strong opponents.
19. A relative offended is harder to reach than a strong city,and disputes are like the barred gates of a fortified citadel.
20. From the fruit of a person’s mouth his stomach is satisfied,with the product of his lips is he satisfied.