The Contrast Between the Wise and the Foolish in Their Words and Actions

A wise son hears his father’s instruction: but a scorner hears not rebuke.

A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.

He that keeps his mouth keeps his life: but he that opens wide his lips shall have destruction.

The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

A righteous man hates lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and comes to shame.

Righteousness keeps him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

There is that makes himself rich, yet has nothing: there is that makes himself poor, yet has great riches.

The ransom of a man’s life are his riches: but the poor hears not rebuke.

The light of the righteous rejoices: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

Only by pride comes contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathers by labor shall increase.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick: but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.

Whoever despises the word shall be destroyed: but he that fears the commandment shall be rewarded.

The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

Good understanding gives favor: but the way of transgressors is hard.

Every prudent man deals with knowledge: but a fool lays open his folly.

A wicked messenger falls into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.

Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuses instruction: but he that regards reproof shall be honored.

The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.

He that walks with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

Evil pursues sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repaid.

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.

He that spares his rod hates his son: but he that loves him chastens him betimes.

The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.