The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy man will be put to forced labor. | Authority will be granted to the diligent, but the lazy will be enslaved. |
Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad. | Anxiety in the human heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad. |
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He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction. | He who guards his mouth makes his life secure, but one who talks excessively ensures his own downfall. |
The ransom of a man’s life is his riches, But the poor does not hear rebuke. | A wealthy man pays a ransom to save his life; a poor man never has to worry about such threats. |
By pride comes nothing but strife, But with the well-advised is wisdom. | An ignorant man causes strife by his insolence, but wisdom is found with those who take advice. |
Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, But he who gathers by labor will increase. | Wealth hastily acquired will dwindle away, but when amassed little by little, it will increase. |
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. | Hope deferred sickens the heart, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. |
He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed. | Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but he who mingles with fools will suffer harm. |
A faithful witness does not lie, But a false witness will utter lies. | A truthful witness does not lie, but a false witness lies incessantly. |
There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. | There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end of it leads to death. |
In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty. | Diligent labor always yields profit, but idle conversation only leads to poverty. |
He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly. | A patient man shows good sense, but a quick-tempered man displays the height of folly. |
Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people. | Righteousness is a sign of a nation’s greatness, but sin degrades any people. |
A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. | A gentle reply turns away wrath, but a harsh word arouses anger. |
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit. | A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but an undisciplined tongue crushes the spirit. |
A fool despises his father’s instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent. | A fool spurns his father’s correction, but whoever heeds admonition is prudent. |
Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, Than great treasure with trouble. | It is better to have a little and fear the Lord than to possess immense wealth and suffer anguish. |
Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established. | Plans miscarry when counsel is lacking, but they succeed when there are many counselors. |
A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is! | A man is joyful when he utters apt answers, and even more satisfying is a word in season. |
The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility. | The fear of the Lord provides instruction in wisdom, and to be humble is the way to honor. |
Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established. | Entrust everything that you do to the Lord, and your plans will turn out to be successful. |
Better is a little with righteousness, Than vast revenues without justice. | It is better to have little and be righteous than to acquire great riches with injustice. |
A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. | A man may plan his own course, but the Lord makes his steps secure. |
How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. | It is better to acquire wisdom rather than gold, and more desirable to acquire understanding rather than silver. |
He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he. | The one who pays heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. |