18:1 One who has isolated himself seeks his own desires;
he rejects all sound judgment.
18:2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding
but only in disclosing what is on his mind.
18:3 When a wicked person arrives, contempt shows up with him,
and with shame comes a reproach.
18:4 The words of a person’s mouth are like deep waters,
and the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
18:5 It is terrible to show partiality to the wicked,
by depriving a righteous man of justice.
18:6 The lips of a fool enter into strife,
and his mouth invites a flogging.
18:7 The mouth of a fool is his ruin,
and his lips are a snare for his life.
18:8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down into the person’s innermost being.
18:9 The one who is slack in his work
is a brother to one who destroys.
18:10 The name of the Lord is like a strong tower;
the righteous person runs to it and is set safely on high.
18:11 The wealth of a rich person is like a strong city,
and it is like a high wall in his imagination.
18:12 Before destruction the heart of a person is proud,
but humility comes before honor.
18:13 The one who gives an answer before he listens –
that is his folly and his shame.
18:14 A person’s spirit sustains him through sickness –
but who can bear a crushed spirit?
18:15 The discerning person acquires knowledge,
and the wise person seeks knowledge.
18:16 A person’s gift makes room for him,
and leads him before important people.
18:17 The first to state his case seems right,
until his opponent begins to cross-examine him.
18:18 A toss of a coin ends disputes,
and settles the issue between strong opponents.
18:19 A relative offended is harder to reach than a strong city,
and disputes are like the barred gates of a fortified citadel.
18:20 From the fruit of a person’s mouth his stomach is satisfied,
with the product of his lips is he satisfied.
18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love its use will eat its fruit.
18:22 The one who finds a wife finds what is enjoyable,
and receives a pleasurable gift from the Lord.
18:23 A poor person makes supplications,
but a rich man answers harshly.
18:24 A person who has friends may be harmed by them,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.