25There are also these proverbs of Solomon, collected by scribes of Hezekiah, king of Judah.H4912H8010H582H2396H4428H3063H62752God delights in concealing things; scientists delight in discovering things.H3519H430H5641H1697H3519H4428H2713H16973Like the horizons for breadth and the ocean for depth, the understanding of a good leader is broad and deep.H8064H7312H776H6011H3820H4428H27144Remove impurities from the silver and the silversmith can craft a fine chalice;H1898H5509H3701H3318H3627H68845Remove the wicked from leadership and authority will be credible and God-honoring.H1898H7563H6440H4428H3678H3559H66646Don't work yourself into the spotlight; don't push your way into the place of prominence.H1921H6440H4428H5975H4725H14197It's better to be promoted to a place of honor than face humiliation by being demoted.H2896H559H5927H8213H6440H5081H5869H72008Don't jump to conclusions—there may be a perfectly good explanation for what you just saw.H3318H4118H7378H6213H319H7453H36379In the heat of an argument, don't betray confidences;H7378H7379H7453H1540H5475H31210Word is sure to get around, and no one will trust you.H8085H2616H1681H772511The right word at the right time is like a custom-made piece of jewelry,H1697H212H655H1696H8598H2091H4906H370112And a wise friend's timely reprimand is like a gold ring slipped on your finger.H5141H2091H2481H3800H2450H3198H8085H24113Reliable friends who do what they say are like cool drinks in sweltering heat—refreshing!H6793H7950H3117H7105H539H6735H7971H7725H5315H11314Like billowing clouds that bring no rain is the person who talks big but never produces.H376H1984H8267H4991H5387H7307H165315Patient persistence pierces through indifference; gentle speech breaks down rigid defenses.H753H639H7101H6601H7390H3956H7665H1634
A Person Without Self-Control
16When you're given a box of candy, don't gulp it all down; eat too much chocolate and you'll make yourself sick;H4672H1706H398H1767H7646H695817And when you find a friend, don't outwear your welcome; show up at all hours and he'll soon get fed up.H3365H7272H7453H1004H7646H813018Anyone who tells lies against the neighbors in court or on the street is a loose cannon.H376H6030H8267H5707H7453H4650H2719H8150H267119Trusting a double-crosser when you're in trouble is like biting down on an abscessed tooth.H4009H898H3117H6869H7465H8127H7272H415420Singing light songs to the heavyhearted is like pouring salt in their wounds.H5710H899H7135H3117H2558H5427H7891H7892H7451H382021If you see your enemy hungry, go buy him lunch; if he's thirsty, bring him a drink.H8130H7457H3899H398H6771H4325H824822Your generosity will surprise him with goodness, and GOD will look after you.H2846H1513H7218H3068H799923A north wind brings stormy weather, and a gossipy tongue stormy looks.H6828H7307H2342H1653H2194H6440H5643H395624Better to live alone in a tumbledown shack than share a mansion with a nagging spouse.H2896H3427H6438H1406H4079H4066H802H2267H100425Like a cool drink of water when you're worn out and weary is a letter from a long-lost friend.H7119H4325H5889H5315H2896H8052H4801H77626A good person who gives in to a bad person is a muddied spring, a polluted well.H6662H4131H6440H7563H7515H4599H7843H472627It's not smart to stuff yourself with sweets, nor is glory piled on glory good for you.H2896H398H7235H1706H2714H3519H351928A person without self-control is like a house with its doors and windows knocked out.H376H4623H7307H5892H6555H2346