Read the Bible

¹ It is better to have nothing but a dry piece of bread to eat in peace than a whole house full of food with everyone arguing.

² A smart servant will gain control over his master's foolish son. He will be treated like a son and get a share of the inheritance.

³ Fire is used to make gold and silver pure, but a person's heart is made pure by the Lord.

⁴ People who do evil listen to evil ideas. Liars listen to liars.

⁵ Whoever makes fun of beggars insults their Maker. Whoever laughs at someone else's trouble will be punished.

⁶ Grandchildren are the pride and joy of old age, and children take great pride in their parents.

⁷ You wouldn't expect to hear a fine speech from a fool, and you shouldn't expect lies from a ruler.

⁸ Some people think a bribe is like a lucky charm—it seems to work wherever they go.

⁹ Forgive someone, and you will strengthen your friendship. Keep reminding them, and you will destroy it.

¹⁰ Smart people learn more from a single correction than fools learn from a hundred beatings.

¹¹ Those who are evil only want to cause trouble. In the end, punishment without mercy will be sent to them.

¹² It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool who is busy doing foolish things.

¹³ If you do wrong to those who were good to you, you will have trouble the rest of your life.

¹⁴ The start of an argument is like a small leak in a dam. Stop it before a big fight breaks out.

¹⁵ The Lord hates these two things: punishing the innocent and letting the guilty go free.

¹⁶ Money is wasted on fools. They cannot buy wisdom when they have no sense.

¹⁷ A friend loves you all the time, but a brother was born to help in times of trouble.

¹⁸ Only a fool would promise to pay for someone else's debts.

¹⁹ A troublemaker loves to start arguments. Anyone who likes to brag is asking for trouble.

²⁰ Crooks will not profit from their crimes, and those who plan to cause trouble will be trapped when it comes.

²¹ A man who has a fool for a son will be disappointed. A fool brings no joy to his father.

²² Happiness is good medicine, but sorrow is a disease.

²³ A wicked judge will accept a bribe, and that keeps justice from being done.

²⁴ Intelligent people think about what needs to be done here and now. Fools are always dreaming about faraway places.

²⁵ Foolish children upset their parents and make them sad.

²⁶ It is wrong to punish an innocent person or attack leaders for doing what is right.

²⁷ Intelligent people choose their words carefully. Those who know what they are doing remain calm.^[a]

²⁸ Silent fools seem wise. They say nothing and appear to be smart.