Thoughts on Truth - Philosophy

Ecclesiastes - NASB

All is vanity. 1:2

What advantage does man have in all his work Which he does under the sun? 1:3

A generation goes and a generation comes, But the earth remains forever. 1:4

All things are wearisome; Man is not able to tell it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, Nor is the ear filled with hearing. 1:8

That which has been is that which will be, And that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun. 1:9

Is there anything of which one might say, "See this, it is new"? Already it has existed for ages Which were before us. 1:10

There is no remembrance of earlier things; And also of the later things which will occur, There will be for them no remembrance Among those who will come later still. 1:11

The Futility of Wisdom

And I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom concerning all that has been done under heaven It is a grievous task which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with. 1:13

I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind. 1:14

What is crooked cannot be straightened and what is lacking cannot be counted. 1:15

I said to myself, "Behold, I have magnified and increased wisdom more than all who were over Jerusalem before me; and my mind has observed a wealth of wisdom and knowledge." 1:16

And I set my mind to know wisdom and to know madness and folly; I realized that this also is striving after wind. 1:17

Because in much wisdom there is much grief, and increasing knowledge results in increasing pain. 1:18

I said to myself, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure. So enjoy yourself." And behold, it too was futility. 2:1

I said of laughter, "It is madness," and of pleasure, "What does it accomplish?" 2:2

I explored with my mind how to stimulate my body with wine while my mind was guiding me wisely, and how to take hold of folly, until I could see what good there is for the sons of men to do under heaven the few years of their lives. 2:3

I enlarged my works: I built houses for myself, I planted vineyards for myself; 2:4

I made gardens and parks for myself and I planted in them all kinds of fruit trees; 2:5

I made ponds of water for myself from which to irrigate a forest of growing trees. 2:6

I bought male and female slaves and I had homeborn slaves Also I possessed flocks and herds larger than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. 2:7

Also, I collected for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces I provided for myself male and female singers and the pleasures of men--many concubines. 2:8

Then I became great and increased more than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also stood by me. 2:9

All that my eyes desired I did not refuse them I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart was pleased because of all my labor and this was my reward for all my labor. 2:10

Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was [a]vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun. 2:11

Wisdom Excels Folly

So I turned to consider wisdom, madness and folly; for what will the man do who will come after the king except what has already been done? 2:12

And I saw that wisdom excels folly as light excels darkness. 2:13

The wise man's eyes are in his head, but the fool walks in darkness And yet I know that one fate befalls them both. 2:14

Then I said to myself, "As is the fate of the fool, it will also befall me Why then have I been extremely wise?" So I said to myself, "This too is vanity." 2:15

For there is no lasting remembrance of the wise man as with the fool, inasmuch as in the coming days all will be forgotten And how the wise man and the fool alike die! 2:16

So I hated life, for the work which had been done under the sun was grievous to me; because everything is futility and striving after wind. 2:17

The Futility of Labor

Thus I hated all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun, for I must leave it to the man who will come after me. 2:18

And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the fruit of my labor for which I have labored by acting wisely under the sun This too is vanity. 2:19

Therefore I completely despaired of all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun. 2:20

When there is a man who has labored with wisdom, knowledge and skill, then he gives his legacy to one who has not labored with them. This too is vanity and a great evil. 2:21

For what does a man get in all his labor and in his striving with which he labors under the sun? 2:22

Because all his days his task is painful and grievous; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is vanity. 2:23

There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God. 2:24

For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him? 2:25

For to a person who is good in His sight He has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, while to the sinner He has given the task of gathering and collecting so that he may give to one who is good in God's sight This too is vanity and striving after wind. 2:26

There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven-- 3:1

A time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing. A time to search and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; A time to be silent and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace. 3:2-8

What profit is there to the worker from that in which he toils? 3:9

I have seen the task which God has given the sons of men with which to occupy themselves. 3:10

I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one's lifetime; 3:12

moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor--it is the gift of God. 3:13

Furthermore, I have seen under the sun that in the place of justice there is wickedness and in the place of righteousness there is wickedness. 3:16

For the fate of the sons of men and the fate of beasts is the same. As one dies so dies the other; indeed, they all have the same breath and there is no advantage for man over beast, for all is vanity. 3:19

All go to the same place. All came from the dust and all return to the dust. 3:20

Who knows that the breath of man ascends upward and the breath of the beast descends downward to the earth? 3:21

I have seen that nothing is better than that man should be happy in his activities, for that is his lot For who will bring him to see what will occur after him? 3:22

Then I looked again at all the acts of oppression which were being done under the sun And behold I saw the tears of the oppressed and that they had no one to comfort them; and on the side of their oppressors was power, but they had no one to comfort them. 4:1

So I congratulated the dead who are already dead more than the living who are still living. 4:2

But better off than both of them is the one who has never existed, who has never seen the evil activity that is done under the sun. 4:3

I have seen that every labor and every skill which is done is the result of rivalry between a man and his neighbor This too is vanity and striving after wind. 4:4

The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh. 4:5

One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind. 4:6

There was a certain man without a dependent, having neither a son nor a brother, yet there was no end to all his labor. Indeed, his eyes were not satisfied with riches and he never asked, "And for whom am I laboring and depriving myself of pleasure?" This too is vanity and it is a grievous task. 4:8

Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. 4:9

For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. 4:10

Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? 4:11

And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart. 4:12

A poor yet wise lad is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive instruction. 4:13

For he has come out of prison to become king, even though he was born poor in his kingdom. 4:14

I have seen all the living under the sun throng to the side of the second lad who replaces him. 4:15

There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them, and even the ones who will come later will not be happy with him, for this too is vanity and striving after wind. 4:16

Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil. 5:1

Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few. 5:2

For the dream comes through much effort and the voice of a fool through many words. 5:3

It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. 5:5

Do not let your speech cause you to sin and do not say in the presence of the messenger of God that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry on account of your voice and destroy the work of your hands? 5:6

For in many dreams and in many words there is emptiness. Rather, fear God. 5:7

If you see oppression of the poor and denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be shocked at the sight; for one official watches over another official, and there are higher officials over them. 5:8

After all, a king who cultivates the field is an advantage to the land. 5:9

The Folly of Riches

He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income. This too is vanity. 5:10

When good things increase, those who consume them increase. So what is the advantage to their owners except to look on? 5:11

The sleep of the working man is pleasant, whether he eats little or much; but the full stomach of the rich man does not allow him to sleep. 5:12

There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: riches being hoarded by their owner to his hurt. 5:13

When those riches were lost through a bad investment and he had fathered a son, then there was nothing to support him. 5:14

As he had come naked from his mother's womb, so will he return as he came He will take nothing from the fruit of his labor that he can carry in his hand. 5:15

This also is a grievous evil--exactly as a man is born, thus will he die. So what is the advantage to him who toils for the wind? 5:16

Throughout his life he also eats in darkness with great vexation, sickness and anger. 5:17

Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat, to drink and enjoy oneself in all one's labor in which he toils under the sun during the few years of his life which God has given him; for this is his reward. 5:18

Furthermore, as for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also empowered him to eat from them and to receive his reward and rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God. 5:19

For he will not often consider the years of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the gladness of his heart. 5:20

There is an evil which I have seen under the sun and it is prevalent among men-- 6:1

a man to whom God has given riches and wealth and honor so that his soul lacks nothing of all that he desires; yet God has not empowered him to eat from them, for a foreigner enjoys them. This is vanity and a severe affliction. 6:2

If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, however many they be, but his soul is not satisfied with good things and he does not even have a proper burial, then I say, "Better the miscarriage than he, 6:3

for it comes in futility and goes into obscurity; and its name is covered in obscurity. 6:4

"It never sees the sun and it never knows anything; it is better off than he. 6:5

"Even if the other man lives a thousand years twice and does not enjoy good things--do not all go to one place?" 6:6

All a man's labor is for his mouth and yet the appetite is not satisfied. 6:7

For what advantage does the wise man have over the fool? What advantage does the poor man have, knowing how to walk before the living? 6:8

What the eyes see is better than what the soul desires This too is futility and a striving after wind. 6:9

Whatever exists has already been named, and it is known what man is; for he cannot dispute with him who is stronger than he is. 6:10

For there are many words which increase futility. What then is the advantage to a man? 6:11

For who knows what is good for a man during his lifetime, during the few years of his futile life? He will spend them like a shadow. For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun? 6:12

good name is better than a good ointment, And the day of one's death is better than the day of one's birth. It is better to go to a house of mourning Than to go to a house of feasting, Because that is the end of every man, And the living takes it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, For when a face is sad a heart may be happy. The mind of the wise is in the house of mourning, While the mind of fools is in the house of pleasure. It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man Than for one to listen to the song of fools. For as the crackling of thorn bushes under a pot, So is the laughter of the fool; And this too is futility. For oppression makes a wise man mad, And a bribe corrupts the heart. The end of a matter is better than its beginning; Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit. Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, For anger resides in the bosom of fools. Do not say, "Why is it that the former days were better than these?" For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this. Wisdom along with an inheritance is good And an advantage to those who see the sun. For wisdom is protection just as money is protection, But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of its possessors. Consider the work of God, For who is able to straighten what He has bent? In the day of prosperity be happy, But in the day of adversity consider-- God has made the one as well as the other So that man will not discover anything that will be after him. 7:1-14

I have seen everything during my lifetime of futility; there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his wickedness. 7:15

Do not be excessively righteous and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself? 7:16

Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time? 7:17

It is good that you grasp one thing and also not let go of the other; for the one who fears God comes forth with both of them. 7:18

Wisdom strengthens a wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city. 7:19

Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins. 7:20

Also, do not take seriously all words which are spoken, so that you will not hear your servant cursing you. 7:21

For you also have realized that you likewise have many times cursed others. 7:22

I tested all this with wisdom, and I said, "I will be wise," but it was far from me. 7:23

What has been is remote and exceedingly mysterious Who can discover it? 7:24

I directed my mind to know, to investigate and to seek wisdom and an explanation, and to know the evil of folly and the foolishness of madness. 7:25

And I discovered more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, whose hands are chains One who is pleasing to God will escape from her, but the sinner will be captured by her. 7:26

"Behold, I have discovered this," says the Preacher, "adding one thing to another to find an explanation, 7:27

which I am still seeking but have not found. I have found one man among a thousand, but I have not found a woman among all these. 7:28

"Behold, I have found only this, that God made men upright, but they have sought out many devices." 7:29

Who is like the wise man and who knows the interpretation of a matter? A man's wisdom illumines him and causes his stern face to beam. 8:1

"Do not be in a hurry to leave him [the king]. Do not join in an evil matter, for he will do whatever he pleases." 8:3

Since the word of the king is authoritative, who will say to him, "What are you doing?" 8:4

He who keeps a royal command experiences no trouble, for a wise heart knows the proper time and procedure. 8:5

For there is a proper time and procedure for every delight, though a man's trouble is heavy upon him. 8:6

If no one knows what will happen, who can tell him when it will happen? 8:7

No man has authority to restrain the wind with the wind, or authority over the day of death; and there is no discharge in the time of war, and evil will not deliver those who practice it. 8:8

All this I have seen and applied my mind to every deed that has been done under the sun wherein a man has exercised authority over another man to his hurt. 8:9

So then, I have seen the wicked buried, those who used to go in and out from the holy place, and they are soon forgotten in the city where they did thus. This too is futility. 8:10

Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil. 8:11

There is futility which is done on the earth, that is, there are righteous men to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked On the other hand, there are evil men to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I say that this too is futility. 8:14

So I commended pleasure, for there is nothing good for a man under the sun except to eat and to drink and to be merry, and this will stand by him in his toils throughout the days of his life which God has given him under the sun. 8:15

When I gave my heart to know wisdom and to see the task which has been done on the earth (even though one should never sleep day or night), 8:16

and I saw every work of God, I concluded that man cannot discover the work which has been done under the sun Even though man should seek laboriously, he will not discover; and though the wise man should say, "I know," he cannot discover. 8:17

For I have taken all this to my heart and explain it that righteous men, wise men, and their deeds are in the hand of God Man does not know whether it will be love or hatred; anything awaits him. 9:1

It is the same for all There is one fate for the righteous and for the wicked; for the good, for the clean and for the unclean; for the man who offers a sacrifice and for the one who does not sacrifice. As the good man is, so is the sinner; as the swearer is, so is the one who is afraid to swear. 9:2

This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that there is one fate for all men Furthermore, the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil and insanity is in their hearts throughout their lives. Afterwards they go to the dead. 9:3

For whoever is joined with all the living, there is hope; surely a live dog is better than a dead lion. 9:4

For the living know they will die; but the dead do not know anything, nor have they any longer a reward, for their memory is forgotten. 9:5

Indeed their love, their hate and their zeal have already perished, and they will no longer have a share in all that is done under the sun. 9:6

Go then, eat your bread in happiness and drink your wine with a cheerful heart; for God has already approved your works. 9:7

Let your clothes be white all the time, and let not oil be lacking on your head. 9:8

Enjoy life with the woman whom you love all the days of your fleeting life which He has given to you under the sun; for this is your reward in life and in your toil in which you have labored under the sun. 9:9

Whatever Your Hand Finds to Do

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going. 9:10

I again saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift and the battle is not to the warriors, and neither is bread to the wise nor wealth to the discerning nor favor to men of ability; for time and chance overtake them all. 9:11

Moreover, man does not know his time: like fish caught in a treacherous net and birds trapped in a snare, so the sons of men are ensnared at an evil time when it suddenly falls on them. 9:12

Also this I came to see as wisdom under the sun, and it impressed me. 9:13

There was a small city with few men in it and a great king came to it, surrounded it and constructed large siegeworks against it. 9:14

But there was found in it a poor wise man and he delivered the city by his wisdom Yet no one remembered that poor man. 9:15

So I said, "Wisdom is better than strength." But the wisdom of the poor man is despised and his words are not heeded. 9:16

The words of the wise heard in quietness are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools. 9:17

Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good. 9:18

Dead flies make a perfumer's oil stink, so a little foolishness is weightier than wisdom and honor. 10:1

Even when the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking and he demonstrates to everyone that he is a fool. 10:3

If the ruler's temper rises against you, do not abandon your position, because composure allays great offenses. 10:4

There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like an error which goes forth from the ruler-- 10:5

folly is set in many exalted places while rich men sit in humble places. 10:6

I have seen slaves riding on horses and princes walking like slaves on the land. 10:7

He who digs a pit may fall into it, and a serpent may bite him who breaks through a wall. 10:8

He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, and he who splits logs may be endangered by them. 10:9

If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of giving success. 10:10

If the serpent bites before being charmed, there is no profit for the charmer. 10:11

Words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, while the lips of a fool consume him; 10:12

the beginning of his talking is folly and the end of it is wicked madness. 10:13

Yet the fool multiplies words No man knows what will happen, and who can tell him what will come after him? 10:14

The toil of a fool so wearies him that he does not even know how to go to a city. 10:15

Woe to you, O land, whose king is a lad and whose princes feast in the morning. 10:16

Blessed are you, O land, whose king is of nobility and whose princes eat at the appropriate time--for strength and not for drunkenness. 10:17

Through indolence the rafters sag, and through slackness the house leaks. 10:18

Men prepare a meal for enjoyment, and wine makes life merry, and money is the answer to everything. 10:19

Furthermore, in your bedchamber do not curse a king, and in your sleeping rooms do not curse a rich man, for a bird of the heavens will carry the sound and the winged creature will make the matter known. 10:20

Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days. 11:1

Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth. 11:2

If the clouds are full, they pour out rain upon the earth; and whether a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, wherever the tree falls, there it lies. 11:3

He who watches the wind will not sow and he who looks at the clouds will not reap. 11:4

Just as you do not know the path of the wind and how bones are formed in the womb of the pregnant woman, so you do not know the activity of God who makes all things. 11:5

Sow your seed in the morning and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good. 11:6

The light is pleasant, and it is good for the eyes to see the sun. 11:7

Indeed, if a man should live many years, let him rejoice in them all, and let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything that is to come will be futility. 11:8

Rejoice, young man, during your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant during the days of young manhood. And follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes Yet know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things. 11:9

So, remove grief and anger from your heart and put away pain from your body, because childhood and the prime of life are fleeting. 11:10

The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd. 12:11

But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body. 12:12

Proverbs - NASB

He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, And he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself. 9:7

Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you, Reprove a wise man and he will love you. 9:8

He who conceals hatred has lying lips, And he who spreads slander is a fool. 10:18

When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise. 10:19

He who despises his neighbor lacks sense, But a man of understanding keeps silent. 11:12

He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is trustworthy conceals a matter. 11:13

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, But he who hates reproof is stupid. 12:1

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel. 12:15

A fool's anger is known at once, But a prudent man conceals dishonor. 12:16

There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, But the tongue of the wise brings healing. 12:18

A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims folly. 12:23

Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad. 12:25

The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. 13:3

Through insolence comes nothing but strife, But wisdom is with those who receive counsel. 13:10

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But desire fulfilled is a tree of life. 13:12

Poverty and shame will come to him who neglects discipline, But he who regards reproof will be honored. 13:18

He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm. 13:20

He who withholds his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him diligently. 13:24

In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for his back, But the lips of the wise will protect them. 14:3

Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, But much revenue comes by the strength of the ox. 14:4

Leave the presence of a fool, Or you will not discern words of knowledge. 14:7

The heart knows its own bitterness, And a stranger does not share its joy. 14:10

There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. 14:12

Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, And the end of joy may be grief. 14:13

The backslider in heart will have his fill of his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied with his. 14:14

The poor is hated even by his neighbor, But those who love the rich are many. 14:20

In all labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty. 14:23

He who is slow to anger has great understanding, But he who is quick-tempered exalts folly. 14:29

A tranquil heart is life to the body, But passion is rottenness to the bones. 14:30

A fool rejects his father's discipline, But he who regards reproof is sensible. 15:5

Better is a dish of vegetables where love is Than a fattened ox served with hatred. 15:17

Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed. 15:22

The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. 15:28

He who neglects discipline despises himself, But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding. 15:32

The LORD has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked for the day of evil. 16:4

By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, And by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil. 16:6

The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. 16:9

Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling. 16:18

The wise in heart will be called understanding, And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. 16:21

The heart of the wise instructs his mouth And adds persuasiveness to his lips. 16:23

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. 16:24

There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. 16:25

He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things; He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass. 16:30

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city. 16:32

The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the LORD. 16:33

A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding Than a hundred blows into a fool. 17:10

The beginning of strife is like letting out water, So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out. 17:14

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

He who has a crooked mind finds no good, And he who is perverted in his language falls into evil. 17:20

Wisdom is in the presence of the one who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth. 17:24

He who restrains his words has knowledge, And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. 17:27

Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent. 17:28

A fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own mind. 18:2

A fool's mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul. 18:7

Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, But humility goes before honor. 18:12

He who gives an answer before he hears, It is folly and shame to him. 18:13

The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, But as for a broken spirit who can bear it? 18:14

The first to plead his case seems right, Until another comes and examines him. 18:17

A man of too many friends comes to ruin, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. 18:24

The foolishness of man ruins his way, And his heart rages against the LORD. 19:3

A man's discretion makes him slow to anger, And it is his glory to overlook a transgression. 19:11

He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, But he who is careless of conduct will die. 19:16

A man of great anger will bear the penalty, For if you rescue him, you will only have to do it again. 19:19

Listen to counsel and accept discipline, That you may be wise the rest of your days. 19:20

Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, But who can find a trustworthy man? 20:6

Man's steps are ordained by the LORD, How then can man understand his way? 20:24

Stripes that wound scour away evil, And strokes reach the innermost parts. 20:30

The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes. 21:1

Every man's way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts. 21:2

To do righteousness and justice Is desired by the LORD more than sacrifice. 21:3

The violence of the wicked will drag them away, Because they refuse to act with justice. 21:7

It is better to live in a corner of a roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman. 21:9

A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead. 21:16

It is better to live in a desert land Than with a contentious and vexing woman. 21:19

He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles. 21:23

A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, Favor is better than silver and gold. 22:1

Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it. 22:6

Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him. 22:15

Do not associate with a man given to anger; Or go with a hot-tempered man, 22:24

Or you will learn his ways And find a snare for yourself. 22:25

Do not be among those who give pledges, Among those who become guarantors for debts. 22:26

Do not desire his delicacies, For it is deceptive food. 23:3

Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, Cease from your consideration of it. 23:4

When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings Like an eagle that flies toward the heavens. 23:5

For as he thinks within himself, so he is. He says to you, "Eat and drink!" But his heart is not with you. 23:7

Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words. 23:9

Apply your heart to discipline And your ears to words of knowledge. 23:12

Do not hold back discipline from the child, Although you strike him with the rod, he will not die. 23:13

You shall strike him with the rod And rescue his soul from Sheol. 23:14

Do not be with heavy drinkers of wine, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat; 23:20

For a harlot is a deep pit And an adulterous woman is a narrow well. 23:27

Surely she lurks as a robber, And increases the faithless among men. 23:28

My son, fear the LORD and the king; Do not associate with those who are given to change, 24:21

Do not go out hastily to argue your case; Otherwise, what will you do in the end, When your neighbor humiliates you? 25:8

Argue your case with your neighbor, And do not reveal the secret of another, 25:9

Or he who hears it will reproach you, And the evil report about you will not pass away. 25:10

It is better to live in a corner of the roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman. 25:24

Like a city that is broken into and without walls Is a man who has no control over his spirit. 25:28

Like one who takes a dog by the ears Is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him. 26:17

Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth. 27:1

Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips. 27:2

Better is open rebuke Than love that is concealed. 27:5

Do not forsake your own friend or your father's friend, And do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity; 27:10

A constant dripping on a day of steady rain And a contentious woman are alike; 27:15

He who would restrain her restrains the wind, And grasps oil with his right hand. 27:16

Evil men do not understand justice, But those who seek the LORD understand all things. 28:5

The rich man is wise in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding sees through him. 28:11

When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves. 28:12

To show partiality is not good, Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress. 28:21

A man with an evil eye hastens after wealth And does not know that want will come upon him. 28:22

When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; But when they perish, the righteous increase. 28:28

A man who hardens his neck after much reproof Will suddenly be broken beyond remedy. 29:1

The righteous is concerned for the rights of the poor, The wicked does not understand such concern. 29:7

Scorners set a city aflame, But wise men turn away anger. 29:8

When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, The foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest. 29:9

Men of bloodshed hate the blameless, But the upright are concerned for his life. 29:10

A fool always loses his temper, But a wise man holds it back. 29:11

The rod and reproof give wisdom, But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother. 29:15

A slave will not be instructed by words alone; For though he understands, there will be no response. 29:19

Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him. 29:20

An angry man stirs up strife, And a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression. 29:22

A man's pride will bring him low, But a humble spirit will obtain honor. 29:23

An unjust man is abominable to the righteous, And he who is upright in the way is abominable to the wicked. 29:27

There is a kind who is pure in his own eyes, Yet is not washed from his filthiness. 30:12

Do not give your strength to women, Or your ways to that which destroys kings. 31:3

An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. 31:10