Proverbs 第 14

A wise woman builds her home with care and intention. But foolishness can tear down in moments what took years to construct.

Walking uprightly is actually an expression of reverence for God. A perverse way of living, at its core, is a rejection of Him.

Proud words from a fool carry their own punishment. The lips of a wise person, however, are a shield that protects them.

A spotless barn means no oxen are working. Real productivity comes with messiness—don't demand pristine conditions if you want real results.

An honest witness tells the truth simply because that's who they are. A dishonest one lies just as naturally—character determines speech.

A scooner looks for wisdom but can't find it, because their attitude blocks understanding. For the willing learner, knowledge comes almost naturally.

If you're around someone and there's nothing wise in what they say, it's time to walk away. Don't waste your time where wisdom isn't welcome.

The wise person's greatest wisdom is understanding their own direction in life. The fool's greatest folly is being deceived about where they're headed.

Fools make light of sin as if it's no big deal. But among those who seek righteousness, there is grace and favor in abundance.

Some pain is so deeply personal that only your own heart truly knows it. Likewise, your deepest joys are yours alone—no outsider can fully share them.

The household of the wicked, no matter how grand, will fall. But even the humble dwelling of the upright will thrive and flourish.

Just because a path feels right doesn't mean it is. Some of the most dangerous roads are the ones we chose because they seemed so reasonable at the time.

Laughter doesn't always mean joy—sometimes it's a mask for a hurting heart. And the happiness we chase can end in heaviness when it's built on nothing real.

A person who drifts from what is right gets filled with the consequences of their own choices. But a good person finds deep satisfaction that comes from within.

Believing everything you hear without question is naive. The prudent person examines each step carefully before moving forward.

A wise person respects danger and steps away from it. A fool charges ahead boldly—confident in their own recklessness.

Quick temper leads to foolish, regrettable actions. And a person known for scheming earns the distrust and hatred of those around them.

The naive inherit foolishness as their default state. But those who are prudent earn for themselves a crown of knowledge.

In the end, evil will bow before good. The wicked will find themselves humbled before the very gates of the righteous.

It's a harsh truth: the poor are often shunned even by neighbors. But the rich never lack for company, fair-weather or not.

Looking down on your neighbor is more than rude—it's sin. Showing mercy to the poor, on the other hand, brings genuine happiness.

Those who plot evil have strayed far from the right path. But mercy and truth await those who plan what is good.

All honest work produces something of value. Endless talking without action, however, leads only to poverty.

For the wise, their wisdom itself is like a crown—a source of true riches. The foolish only accumulate more foolishness.

A truthful witness can literally save lives with honest testimony. A deceitful witness, by lying, puts innocent people in danger.

Reverence for God creates deep, unshakable confidence. And that security extends to your children—they find refuge under that same trust.

The fear of the Lord is like a fountain that sustains life itself. It steers you away from the deadly traps you might otherwise fall into.

A growing population is a king's glory. A dwindling one signals trouble for any leader. People are a nation's greatest resource.

Being slow to anger reveals a person of great understanding. A quick temper, however, puts foolishness on full display for all to see.

A peaceful, healthy heart is literally life to the body. Envy, on the other hand, corrodes you from the inside like rot in the bones.

When you oppress the poor, you're insulting the God who made them. When you honor the poor with mercy, you're honoring your Creator Himself.

The wicked, even in their final moments, are driven by their own sin. But the righteous face even death with hope, because their trust is in something greater.

Wisdom quietly rests in the heart of someone who truly understands. But whatever fools are harboring inevitably spills out for everyone to see.

Righteousness lifts a nation to its highest potential. Sin, on the other hand, is a stain that drags any people down.

A wise servant earns the king's favor and trust. But one who causes shame will face the ruler's anger. Character shapes how power responds to you.