The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor. | Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave. |
Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. | Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up. |
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Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. | Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything. |
The ransom of a man's life is his wealth, but a poor man hears no threat. | The rich can pay a ransom for their lives, but the poor won’t even get threatened. |
By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom. | Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise. |
Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it. | Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time. |
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. | Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life. |
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. | Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. |
A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies. | An honest witness does not lie; a false witness breathes lies. |
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. | There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. |
In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty. | Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty! |
Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. | People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness. |
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. | Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people. |
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. | A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. |
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. | Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. |
A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent. | Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise. |
Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it. | Better to have little, with fear for the Lord, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil. |
Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. | Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success. |
To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is! | Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time! |
The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor. | Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor. |
Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. | Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. |
Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice. | Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest. |
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. | We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. |
How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. | How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver! |
Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. | Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful. |