Chapter 18

¹ A man who wishes to separate from friends seeks excuses; but at all times he will be liable to reproach. ² A senseless man feels no need of wisdom, for he is rather led by folly. ³ When an ungodly man comes into a depth of evils, he despises them; but dishonour and reproach come upon him. ⁴ A word in the heart of a man is a deep water, and a river and fountain of life spring forth. ⁵ It is not good to accept the person of the ungodly, nor is it holy to pervert justice in judgment.

⁶ The lips of a fool bring him into troubles, and his bold mouth calls for death. ⁷ A fool’s mouth is ruin to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul. ⁸ Fear casts down the slothful; and the souls of the effeminate shall hunger. ⁹ A man who helps not himself by his labour is brother of him that ruins himself. ¹⁰ The name of the Lord is of great strength; and the righteous ¹running to it are exalted. ¹¹ The wealth of a rich man is a strong city; and its glory casts a broad shadow. ¹² Before ruin a man’s heart is exalted, and before honour it is humble. ¹³ Whoso answers a word before he hears a cause, it is folly and reproach to him. ¹⁴ A wise servant calms a man’s anger; but who can endure a faint-hearted man? ¹⁵ The heart of the sensible man purchases discretion; and the ears of the wise seek understanding. ¹⁶ A man’s gift ²enlarges him, and seats him among princes. ¹⁷ A righteous man accuses himself at the beginning of his speech, but ³when he has entered upon the attack, the adversary is reproved.

¹⁸ A silent man quells strifes, and determines between great powers. ¹⁹ A brother helped by a brother is as a strong and high city; and is as strong as a well-founded palace. ²⁰ A man fills his belly with the fruits of his mouth; and he shall be satisfied with the fruits of his lips. ²¹ Life and death are in the power of the tongue; and they that rule it shall eat the fruits thereof. ²² He that has found a good wife has found favours, and has received gladness from God. [⁴He that puts away a good wife, puts away a ⁵good thing, and he that keeps an adulteress is foolish and ungodly.]