| A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. | A gentle reply turns away wrath, but a harsh word arouses anger. |
| The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. | A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but an undisciplined tongue crushes the spirit. |
|
| A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence. | A fool spurns his father’s correction, but whoever heeds admonition is prudent. |
| Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil. | It is better to have a little and fear the Lord than to possess immense wealth and suffer anguish. |
| Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. | Plans miscarry when counsel is lacking, but they succeed when there are many counselors. |
| A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word! | A man is joyful when he utters apt answers, and even more satisfying is a word in season. |
| Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor. | The fear of the Lord provides instruction in wisdom, and to be humble is the way to honor. |
