Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. | Pleasing words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and affording health to the body. |
A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends. | A perverse man sows strife, and a tale-bearer destroys close friendships. |
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Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. | It is better to be a patient man rather than a warrior, one who controls his temper rather than one who captures a city. |
Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children. | Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their parents. |
Eloquent words are not fitting for a fool; even less are lies fitting for a ruler. | Fine words are not becoming to a fool, and much less are false words to a noble. |
Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends. | One who forgives a misdeed fosters friendship, but he who divulges it separates good friends. |
A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. | A true friend is one at all times, and a brother is born to render help in time of need. |
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength. | A cheerful heart is excellent medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. |
Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent. | Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; if he closes his lips, he is regarded as intelligent. |
Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions. | A fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only delights in expressing his own opinions. |
Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating. | The lips of a fool cause strife, and his mouth provokes a flogging. |
Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart. | The whispers of a gossiper are tasty morsels that corrode one’s inner being. |
The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe. | The name of the Lord is a tower of strength; the upright man runs to it and finds refuge. |
The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense; they imagine it to be a high wall of safety. | The wealth of a rich man is his stronghold; he regards it as a high wall that cannot be scaled. |
Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor. | A man is haughty until disaster overtakes him, but humility comes before honors. |
Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people! | A gift opens doors for the giver and wins him access to the powerful. |
The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. | The tongue has the power over life and death; those who cherish it will enjoy its fruits. |
The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord. | One who finds a wife finds happiness and receives favor from the Lord. |
There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. | Some friends can lead us to ruin, but a true friend is closer than a brother. |
To acquire wisdom is to love yourself; people who cherish understanding will prosper. | Whoever gains wisdom loves his own soul; one who cherishes understanding will prosper. |
Fathers can give their sons an inheritance of houses and wealth, but only the Lord can give an understanding wife. | A house and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is a gift from the Lord. |
Keep the commandments and keep your life; despising them leads to death. | Whoever observes the commandments will live, but the one who scorns them will die. |
You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail. | Many are the plans in a human mind, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will prevail. |
Loyalty makes a person attractive. It is better to be poor than dishonest. | A man’s attraction is his kindness; it is far better to be poor than to be a liar. |
Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling. | It is honorable to avoid strife, but every fool is quarrelsome. |