[[Proverbs 16|<< Proverbs 16]] | [[Proverbs|Proverbs]] | [[Proverbs 18|Proverbs 18 >>]] ### Proverbs 17 1 BETTER _is_ a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices _with_ strife. ^1 2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causes shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren. ^2 3 The fining pot _is_ for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD tries the hearts. ^3 4 A wicked doer gives heed to false lips; _and_ a liar gives ear to a naughty tongue. ^4 5 Whoso mocks the poor reproaches his Maker: _and_ he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished. ^5 6 Children's children _are_ the crown of old men; and the glory of children _are_ their fathers. ^6 7 Excellent speech becomes not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince. ^7 8 A gift _is_ _as_ a precious stone in the eyes of him that has it: whithersoever it turns, it prospers. ^8 9 He that covers a transgression seeks love; but he that repeats a matter separates _very_ friends. ^9 10 A reproof enters more into a wise man than a hundred stripes into a fool. ^10 11 An evil _man_ seeks only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. ^11 12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly. ^12 13 Whoso rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house. ^13 14 The beginning of strife _is_ _as_ when one lets out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with. ^14 15 He that justifies the wicked, and he that comdemns the just, even they both _are_ abomination to the LORD. ^15 16 Wherefore _is_ _there_ a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing _he_ _hath_ no heart _to_ _it?_ ^16 17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. ^17 18 A man void of understanding strikes hands, _and_ becomes surety in the presence of his friend. ^18 19 He loves transgression that loves strife: _and_ he that exalts his gate seeks destruction. ^19 20 He that has a froward heart finds no good: and he that has a perverse tongue falls into mischief. ^20 21 He that begets a fool _does _it_ to his sorrow: and the father of a fool has no joy. ^21 22 A merry heart does good _like_ a medicine: but a broken spirit dries the bones. ^22 23 A wicked _man_ takes a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment. ^23 24 Wisdom _is_ before him that has understanding; but the eyes of a fool _are_ in the ends of the earth. ^24 25 A foolish son _is_ a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bore him. ^25 26 Also to punish the just _is_ not good, _nor_ to strike princes for equity. ^26 27 He that has knowledge spares his words: _and_ a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. ^27 28 Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is counted wise: _and_ he that shuts his lips _is_ _esteemed_ a man of understanding. ^28