[1] A dry crust of bread eaten in peace and quiet is better than a feast eaten where everyone argues. [2] A hard-working slave will be placed in charge of a no-good child, and that slave will be given the same inheritance that each child receives. [3] Silver and gold are tested by flames of fire; our thoughts are tested by the LORD. [4] Troublemakers listen to troublemakers, and liars listen to liars. [5] By insulting the poor, you insult your Creator. You will be punished if you make fun of someone in trouble. [6] Grandparents are proud of their grandchildren, and children should be proud of their parents. [7] It sounds strange for a fool to talk sensibly, but it's even worse for a ruler to tell lies. [8] A bribe works miracles like a magic charm that brings good luck. [9] You will keep your friends if you forgive them, but you will lose your friends if you keep talking about what they did wrong. [10] A sensible person accepts correction, but you can't beat sense into a fool. [11] Cruel people want to rebel, and so vicious attackers will be sent against them. [12] A bear robbed of her cubs is far less dangerous than a stubborn fool. [13] You will always have trouble if you are mean to those who are good to you. [14] The start of an argument is like a water leak- so stop it before real trouble breaks out. [15] The LORD doesn't like those who defend the guilty or condemn the innocent. [16] Why should fools have money for an education when they refuse to learn? [17] A friend is always a friend, and relatives are born to share our troubles. [18] It's stupid to guarantee someone else's loan. [19] The wicked and the proud love trouble and keep begging to be hurt. [20] Dishonesty does you no good, and telling lies will get you in trouble. [21] It's never pleasant to be the parent of a fool and have nothing but pain. [22] If you are cheerful, you feel good; if you are sad, you hurt all over. [23] Crooks accept secret bribes to keep justice from being done. [24] Anyone with wisdom knows what makes good sense, but fools can never make up their minds. [25] Foolish children bring sorrow to their father and pain to their mother. [26] It isn't fair to punish the innocent and those who do right. [27] It makes a lot of sense to be a person of few words and to stay calm. [28] Even fools seem smart when they are quiet.
