Proverbs 17:7-21

7Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a prince.

8A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of the one who gives it; wherever he turns he prospers.

9Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.

10A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.

11An evil man seeks only rebellion, and a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

12Let a man meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs rather than a fool in his folly.

13If anyone returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house.

14The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.

15He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord.

16Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom when he has no sense?

17A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

18One who lacks sense gives a pledge and puts up security in the presence of his neighbor.

19Whoever loves transgression loves strife; he who makes his door high seeks destruction.

20A man of crooked heart does not discover good, and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity.

21He who sires a fool gets himself sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.