Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. | Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. |
A perverse person spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. | A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends. |
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One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and one whose temper is controlled than one who captures a city. | Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. |
Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their parents. | Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children. |
Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a ruler. | Eloquent words are not fitting for a fool; even less are lies fitting for a ruler. |
One who forgives an affront fosters friendship, but one who dwells on disputes will alienate a friend. | Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends. |
A friend loves at all times, and kinsfolk are born to share adversity. | A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. |
A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones. | A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength. |
Even fools who keep silent are considered wise; when they close their lips, they are deemed intelligent. | Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent. |
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing personal opinion. | Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions. |
A fool's lips bring strife, and a fool's mouth invites a flogging. | Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating. |
The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. | Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart. |
The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe. | The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe. |
The wealth of the rich is their strong city; in their imagination it is like a high wall. | The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense; they imagine it to be a high wall of safety. |
Before destruction one's heart is haughty, but humility goes before honor. | Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor. |
A gift opens doors; it gives access to the great. | Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people! |
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. | The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. |
He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord. | The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord. |
Some friends play at friendship but a true friend sticks closer than one's nearest kin. | There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. |
To get wisdom is to love oneself; to keep understanding is to prosper. | To acquire wisdom is to love yourself; people who cherish understanding will prosper. |
House and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord. | Fathers can give their sons an inheritance of houses and wealth, but only the Lord can give an understanding wife. |
Those who keep the commandment will live; those who are heedless of their ways will die. | Keep the commandments and keep your life; despising them leads to death. |
The human mind may devise many plans, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will be established. | You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail. |
What is desirable in a person is loyalty, and it is better to be poor than a liar. | Loyalty makes a person attractive. It is better to be poor than dishonest. |
It is honorable to refrain from strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. | Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling. |