# Chapter 18
1. One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires;
he rebels against all sound wisdom.

2. A fool does not delight in understanding,
but only wants to show off his opinions.

3. When a wicked person comes, contempt also comes,
and along with dishonor, derision.

4. The words of a person's mouth are deep waters,
a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom.

5. It is not good to show partiality to the guilty,
denying an innocent person justice.

6. A fool's lips lead to strife,
and his mouth provokes a beating.

7. A fool's mouth is his devastation,
and his lips are a trap for his life.

8. A gossip's words are like choice food
that goes down to one's innermost being.

9. The one who is lazy in his work
is brother to a vandal.

10. The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
the righteous run to it and are protected.

11. The wealth of the rich is his fortified city;
in his imagination it is like a high wall.

12. Before his downfall a person's heart is proud,
but humility comes before honor.

13. The one who gives an answer before he listens--
this is foolishness and disgrace for him.

14. A person's spirit can endure sickness,
but who can survive a broken spirit?

15. The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks it.

16. A person's gift opens doors for him
and brings him before the great.

17. The first to state his case seems right
until another comes and cross-examines him.

18. Casting the lot ends quarrels
and separates powerful opponents.

19. An offended brother is harder to reach
than a fortified city,
and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress.

20. From the fruit of a person's mouth his stomach is satisfied;
he is filled with the product of his lips.

21. Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.

22. A man who finds a wife finds a good thing
and obtains favor from the Lord.

23. The poor person pleads,
but the rich one answers roughly.

24. One with many friends may be harmed,
but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.




