and a corrupt fountain.

He that eateth too much honey is not good; and he that searcheth after heavy things is heavy.

A man that cannot keep his spirit is like an open city without walls.
(Proverbs)
Chapter 26
Which people are not worthy of honor.

As the snow in summer, and the rain in harvest, so the fool’s honour rhymeth not.

As a bird passeth by, and a swallow flew, so an undeserved curse doth not meet.

A whip for the horse, and a bridle for the ass; and a rod for the fool’s back.

Answer not the fool with his foolishness, lest thou also be like him.

But answer the fool according to his folly, lest he be thought wise.

He that doeth a thing by a foolish messenger is as a lame man in his feet, and taketh hurt.

As it is for a cripple to dance, so it is for fools to speak of wisdom.

Whoso putteth honour upon a fool, it is as if one cast a jewel upon the raven stone.

A saying in a fool’s mouth is like a thorn pricked in a drunken man’s hand.

A good master maketh a thing right: but he that maketh a bungler maketh it vile.

As a dog eateth his spittle again, so is the fool that worketh his folly again. .

When thou seest one that thinketh himself wise, there is more hope in a fool than in him.

The lazy man saith, There is a young lion in the way, and a lion in the streets.

a lazy man turns in the best as the door in the hinge.

The slothful man hideth his hand in the pot, and is sore displeased, that he bringeth it to his mouth.

A slothful man thinketh himself wiser than seven that teach morals.

He that goeth before, and mixeth himself in other men’s quarrels, is like one that pincheth a dog by the ears.

How one shooteth and killeth secretly with bullet and arrow, 19. So doth a false man with his neighbour, and speaketh afterward: I have jested.

When there is no more wood, the fire is quenched; and when the slanderer is gone, the strife ceaseth.

As coals are an ember, and wood a fire, so a contentious man maketh strife.

The words of the slanderer are like blows, and they go through the heart.

poisonous mouth and evil heart is like a shard covered with silver foam.

The enemy is known by his speech, though he be false in heart.

If he make his voice pleasing, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

Whosoever hateth secretly to do evil, his wickedness shall be made manifest in the sight of the congregation.

He that maketh a pit shall fall three times: and he that rolleth a stone shall fall upon it.

A false tongue hateth him that punisheth him: and a hypocritical mouth destroyeth.
(Proverbs)
Chapter 27
Of vain conceit and presumption, as the first hindrance to wisdom, and of this manifold use.

Boast not thyself of the morrow: for thou knowest not what may come to pass to day.

Let another praise thee, and not thy mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.

Is heavy, and sand is burden; but the fool’s wrath is heavier than both of them.

Anger is a fierce thing, and wrath is fierce: and who can stand before envy?

public punishment is better than secret love.

The blows of the lover are well meant: but the kissing of the hater is a whisper.

A full soul treadeth honeycomb: but to a hungry soul all bitter things are sweet.

As a bird is that departeth from his nest, so is he that departeth from his place.

The heart rejoiceth in ointment and incense: but a friend is sweet for the counsel of the soul.

Forsake not thy friend, nor thy father’s friend. And go not into thy brother’s house, when thou art in evil: for a neighbour is better near, than a brother far off.

Be wise, my son, and my heart will rejoice; and I will answer him that reproacheth me.

A witty man seeth misfortune, and hideth himself: but the foolish pass through, and suffer harm.

Take away the garment of him that is a surety for another, and seize him for the stranger’s sake.

Whosoever blesseth his neighbour with a loud voice, and riseth up early, it shall be cursed for him.

A quarrelsome woman, and a continual drifting, when it rains very hard, are well compared together.

He that stoppeth them holdeth the wind, and will lay hold on the oil with his hand.

One knife sharpeneth another, and one man another.

He that keepeth his fig tree eateth fruit of it: and he that keepeth his master is honoured.

As the shadow of the waters is against the face, so is the heart of man against the other.

Hell and corruption shall never be full, neither shall men’s eyes be full.

A man is proved by the mouth of praise, as silver in a crucible, and gold in a furnace.

If thou pound the fool in the mortar with the pestle as groats, his foolishness shall not depart from him.

Take heed to thy sheep, and look after thy flock;

For good endureth not for ever, neither doth the crown endure for ever.

The hay is risen, and the grass is there, and the herbage is gathered upon the mountains.

The lambs shall clothe thee, and the goats shall give thee the money of the field.

Thou hast goats’ milk enough for the food of thy house, and for the food of thy maidens.
(Proverbs)
Chapter 28
Of the other hindrance to wisdom, an evil conscience, its quality, origin, and remedy against it.

The wicked man fleeth, and no man chaseth him: but the righteous man is as bold as a lion.

For the sin of the land there are many changes of principalities: but for the people’s sakes, who are understanding and sensible, they abide long.

A poor man that offendeth the lowly is as a meltoid that spoileth the fruit.

They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but they that keep it are unwilling unto them.

Wicked men take no heed to judgment: but they that inquire of the LORD take heed to all things.

It is better for a poor man to walk in godliness than for a rich man to pray in perverse ways.

He that keepeth the law is a child of understanding: but he that feedeth iniquity dishonoureth his father.

He that increaseth his goods by usury and extravagance gathereth them for the use of the poor.

He that turneth away his ear to hear the law, his prayer is an abomination.

He that deceiveth the righteous in an evil way shall fall into his pit: but the righteous shall inherit good things.

A rich man thinketh himself wise, but a poor man of understanding knoweth him.

When the righteous have the prevalence, ye deal very well: but when the wicked arise, it turneth among the people.

He that denieth his iniquity shall not prosper: but he that confesseth and forsaketh it shall obtain mercy.

Blessed is he that feareth all things. But he that is stiff-necked shall fall into mischief.

A wicked man that ruleth over a poor people is a roaring lion and a ravening bear.

If a prince be without understanding, many wrongs are done: but he that hateth covetousness shall live long.

A man that worketh iniquity in the blood of one soul shall not obtain, though he go into hell.

He that walketh uprightly shall recover: but he that is perverse in his ways shall at once perish.

He that tilleth his ground shall have bread enough: but he that followeth idleness shall have poverty enough.

A faithful man is much blessed: but he that hasteth to be rich shall not be blameless.

To look upon a person is not good: for he would do evil for a piece of bread.

He that hasteth to get rich, and is envious, knoweth not that calamity shall befall him.

He that reproveth a man shall hereafter find favour, because he that feigneth it.

Whosoever taketh from his father or mother, and saith it is not sin, the same is the companion of the destroyer.

A proud man stirreth up strife: but he that trusteth in the LORD shall be fat.

He that trusteth in his heart is a fool: but he that prayeth with wisdom shall escape.

He that giveth to the poor shall not want: but he that turneth away his eyes shall greatly perish.

When the wicked arise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous abound.
(Proverbs)
Chapter 29
The third obstacle to wisdom is stubbornness.

He that is stiffnecked against judgment shall perish suddenly without all help; 2. When the righteous are many, the people rejoice: but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

He that loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that lieth with harlots perisheth his goods.

A king upholdeth the land by judgment: but a covetous man destroyeth it.

He that is hypocritical with his neighbour spreadeth a net unto his footsteps.

When a wicked man sinneth, he entangleth himself: but a righteous man rejoiceth and is glad.

The righteous knoweth the cause of the poor: the wicked regardeth not reason.

The scoffers brazenly bring calamity upon a city: but the wise quiet the wrath.

If a wise man deal with a fool, and he be angry, or laugh, he hath no rest.

The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the righteous seek his soul.

A fool poureth out his spirit: but a wise man keepeth himself.

A lord that delighteth in lying, his servants are all wicked.

The poor and the rich meet together: but the eyes of both are enlightened by the LORD.

A king that judgeth the poor faithfully, his throne shall be established for ever.

The rod and the chastisement giveth wisdom: but a boy, left unto himself, defileth his
mother.

Where the wicked abound, there is much sin: but the righteous shall see their fall.

Chasten thy son, and he