Authority will be granted to the diligent, but the lazy will be enslaved. | Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave. |
Anxiety in the human heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad. | Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up. |
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He who guards his mouth makes his life secure, but one who talks excessively ensures his own downfall. | Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything. |
A wealthy man pays a ransom to save his life; a poor man never has to worry about such threats. | The rich can pay a ransom for their lives, but the poor won’t even get threatened. |
An ignorant man causes strife by his insolence, but wisdom is found with those who take advice. | Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise. |
Wealth hastily acquired will dwindle away, but when amassed little by little, it will increase. | Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time. |
Hope deferred sickens the heart, 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 he who mingles with fools will suffer harm. | Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. |
A truthful witness does not lie, but a false witness lies incessantly. | An honest witness does not lie; a false witness breathes lies. |
There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end of it leads to death. | There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. |
Diligent labor always yields profit, but idle conversation only leads to poverty. | Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty! |
A patient man shows good sense, but a quick-tempered man displays the height of folly. | People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness. |
Righteousness is a sign of a nation’s greatness, but sin degrades any people. | Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people. |
A gentle reply turns away wrath, but a harsh word arouses anger. | A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. |
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but an undisciplined tongue crushes the spirit. | Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. |
A fool spurns his father’s correction, but whoever heeds admonition is prudent. | Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise. |
It is better to have a little and fear the Lord than to possess immense wealth and suffer anguish. | Better to have little, with fear for the Lord, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil. |
Plans miscarry when counsel is lacking, but they succeed when there are many counselors. | Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success. |
A man is joyful when he utters apt answers, and even more satisfying is a word in season. | Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time! |
The fear of the Lord provides instruction in wisdom, and to be humble is the way to honor. | Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor. |
Entrust everything that you do to the Lord, and your plans will turn out to be successful. | Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. |
It is better to have little and be righteous than to acquire great riches with injustice. | Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest. |
A man may plan his own course, but the Lord makes his steps secure. | We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. |
It is better to acquire wisdom rather than gold, and more desirable to acquire understanding rather than silver. | How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver! |
The one who pays heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. | Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful. |