^18:1 He who desires to separate himself seeks excuses and rages against all sound-wisdom.

    ^18:2 A fool has no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.

    ^18:3 When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes and with disgrace, reproach.

    ^18:4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters. The wellspring of wisdom is a pouring forth brook.

    ^18:5 To respect the person of a wicked man is not good, nor to turn aside a righteous man in judgment.

    ^18:6 A fool's lips enter into contention and his mouth calls for stripes.

    ^18:7 A fool's mouth is his destruction and his lips are the snare of his soul.

    ^18:8 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels and they go down into the innermost parts.

    ^18:9 He who is also slack in his work is a brother to him that is a destroyer.

    ^18:10 The name of Jehovah is a strong tower. A righteous man runs into it and is safe.

    ^18:11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city and as a high wall in his own imagination.

    ^18:12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty and before honor is humility.

    ^18:13 He who gives answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.

    ^18:14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity, but a broken spirit who can bear?

    ^18:15 The heart of a prudent man gets knowledge and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

    ^18:16 A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.

    ^18:17 He who pleads his case first seems just, but his neighbor comes and searches him out.

    ^18:18 The lot causes contentions to cease and decides between the mighty.

    ^18:19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city and such contentions are like the bars of a castle.

    ^18:20 A man's belly will be filled with the fruit of his mouth. He will be satisfied with the increase of his lips.

    ^18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue and those who love it will eat the fruit of it.

    ^18:22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from Jehovah.

    ^18:23 A poor man uses entreaties, but a rich man answers roughly.

    ^18:24 He who makes many friends does it to his own destruction, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.