# Proverbs 17 [[Proverbs 16|←]] • [[Proverbs 18|→]] --- ### 1 Better a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices strife. ### 2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren. ### 3 The fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts. ### 4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue. ### 5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished. ### 6 Children's children the crown of old men; and the glory of children their fathers. ### 7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince. ### 8 A gift a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth. ### 9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth friends. ### 10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool. ### 11 An evil seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. ### 12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly. ### 13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house. ### 14 The beginning of strife when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with. ### 15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both abomination to the Lord. ### 16 Wherefore a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing no heart ### 17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. ### 18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, becometh surety in the presence of his friend. ### 19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction. ### 20 He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief. ### 21 He that begetteth a fool to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy. ### 22 A merry heart doeth good a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. ### 23 A wicked taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment. ### 24 Wisdom before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool in the ends of the earth. ### 25 A foolish son a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him. ### 26 Also to punish the just not good, to strike princes for equity. ### 27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. ### 28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: he that shutteth his lips a man of understanding.