Proverbs - Chapter 18

Passage

He that has a mind to depart from a friend, seeks occasions: he shall ever be subject to reproach. A fool does not receive the words of prudence: unless say those things which are in his heart. The wicked man, when he is come into the depths of sins, despises: but ignominy and reproach follow him. Words from the mouth of a man are as deep water: and the fountain of wisdom is an overflowing stream. It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to decline from the truth of judgment. The lips of a fool intermeddle with strife: and his mouth provokes quarrels. The mouth of a fool is his destruction: and his lips are the ruin of his soul. The words of the double tongued are as if they were harmless: and they reach even to the inner parts of the bowels. Fear casts down the slothful: and the souls of the effeminate shall be hungry. He that is loose and slack in his work, is the brother of him that wastes his own works. The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the just runs to it, and shall be exalted. The substance of the rich man is the city of his strength, and as a strong wall compassing him about. Before destruction, the heart of a man is exalted: and before he be glorified, it is humbled. He that answers before he hears, shows himself to be a fool, and worthy of confusion. The spirit of a man upholds his infirmity: but a spirit that is easily angered, who can bear? A wise heart shall acquire knowledge: and the ear of the wise seeks instruction. A man's gift enlarges his way, and makes him room before princes. The just is first accuser of himself: his friend comes, and shall search him. The lot suppresses contentions, and determines even between the mighty. A brother that is helped by his brother, is like a strong city: and judgments are like the bars of cities. Of the fruit of a man's mouth shall his belly be satisfied: and the offspring of his lips shall fill him. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: they that love it, shall eat the fruits thereof. He that has found a good wife, has found a good thing, and shall receive a pleasure from the Lord. He that drives away a good wife, drives away a good thing: but he that keeps an adulteress, is foolish and wicked. The poor will speak with supplications, and the rich will speak roughly. A man amiable in society, shall be more friendly than a brother.