181A person who is a loner seeks his own desires.
He fights against all sound judgment.
2A fool finds no pleasure in understanding,
but only in revealing his own opinions.
3When a wicked person comes, contempt comes with him,
and with dishonor comes disgrace.
4The words from a man's mouth are deep waters.
The fountain of wisdom is a flowing stream.
5It is not good to show favoritism to a wicked person
in order to deprive a righteous person of justice.
6A fool's lips enter a fight,
and his mouth invites a beating.
7A fool's mouth is his destruction,
and his lips are a trap for his soul.[] 8The words of a gossip are like delicious food.
People gobble them right down.[] 9A person who fails to do his work
is a brother to a vandal.
10The name of the Lord is a strong tower.
A righteous person runs inside and is protected.
11A rich person's wealth is his strong city.
In his imagination it is like a high wall.
12Before destruction a man's heart is proud,
but humility comes before honor.
13If a person answers before he listens,
that is foolishness that brings disgrace.
14A man's spirit can endure illness,
but who can bear a broken spirit?
15A discerning heart acquires knowledge,
and the ears of the wise seek knowledge.
16A person's gift opens doors[] for him. It leads him into the presence of great people.
17The first person to state his case appears to be right.
Then his neighbor comes and cross-examines him.
18Casting lots[] ends disputes and decides between powerful people. 19A brother who has been wronged is harder to regain than a strong city,
and disputes are like a bar across the gate of a citadel.
20From the fruit of a man's mouth, his stomach is satisfied.
He is satisfied with the harvest of his lips.
21Life and death lie in the power of a tongue,
and those who love to use it will eat its fruit.
22The man who finds a wife finds a good thing,
and he obtains favor from the Lord.
23A poor man pleads for mercy,
but a rich man answers harshly.
24A man with many acquaintances may suffer harm,
but there is a loving friend who sticks closer than a brother.