25Here are more of Solomon's proverbs, copied by scribes at the court of King Hezekiah of Judah.H4912H8010H582H2396H4428H3063H62752We honor God for what he conceals; we honor kings for what they explain.H3519H430H5641H1697H3519H4428H2713H16973You never know what a king is thinking; his thoughts are beyond us, like the heights of the sky or the depths of the ocean.H8064H7312H776H6011H3820H4428H27144Take the impurities out of silver and the artist can produce a thing of beauty.H1898H5509H3701H3318H3627H68845Keep evil advisers away from the king and his government will be known for its justice.H1898H7563H6440H4428H3678H3559H66646When you stand before the king, don't try to impress him and pretend to be important.H1921H6440H4428H5975H4725H14197It is better to be asked to take a higher position than to be told to give your place to someone more important.H2896H559H5927H8213H6440H5081H5869H72008Don't be too quick to go to court about something you have seen. If another witness later proves you wrong, what will you do then?H3318H4118H7378H6213H319H7453H36379If you and your neighbor have a difference of opinion, settle it between yourselves and do not reveal any secrets.H7378H7379H7453H1540H5475H31210Otherwise everyone will learn that you can't keep a secret, and you will never live down the shame.H8085H2616H1681H772511An idea well-expressed is like a design of gold, set in silver.H1697H212H655H1696H8598H2091H4906H370112A warning given by an experienced person to someone willing to listen is more valuable than gold rings or jewelry made of the finest gold.H5141H2091H2481H3800H2450H3198H8085H24113A reliable messenger is refreshing to the one who sends him, like cold water in the heat of harvest time.H6793H7950H3117H7105H539H6735H7971H7725H5315H11314People who promise things that they never give are like clouds and wind that bring no rain.H376H1984H8267H4991H5387H7307H165315Patient persuasion can break down the strongest resistance and can even convince rulers.H753H639H7101H6601H7390H3956H7665H163416Never eat more honey than you need; too much may make you vomit.H4672H1706H398H1767H7646H695817Don't visit your neighbors too often; they may get tired of you and come to hate you.H3365H7272H7453H1004H7646H813018A false accusation is as deadly as a sword, a club, or a sharp arrow.H376H6030H8267H5707H7453H4650H2719H8150H267119Depending on an unreliable person in a crisis is like trying to chew with a loose tooth or walk with a crippled foot.H4009H898H3117H6869H7465H8127H7272H415420Singing to a person who is depressed is like taking off a person's clothes on a cold day or like rubbing salt in a wound.H5710H899H7135H3117H2558H5427H7891H7892H7451H382021If your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them a drink.H8130H7457H3899H398H6771H4325H824822You will make them burn with shame, and the LORD will reward you.H2846H1513H7218H3068H799923Gossip brings anger just as surely as the north wind brings rain.H6828H7307H2342H1653H2194H6440H5643H395624Better to live on the roof than share the house with a nagging wife.H2896H3427H6438H1406H4079H4066H802H2267H100425Finally hearing good news from a distant land is like a drink of cold water when you are dry and thirsty.H7119H4325H5889H5315H2896H8052H4801H77626A good person who gives in to someone who is evil reminds you of a polluted spring or a poisoned well.H6662H4131H6440H7563H7515H4599H7843H472627Too much honey is bad for you, and so is trying to win too much praise.H2896H398H7235H1706H2714H3519H351928If you cannot control your anger, you are as helpless as a city without walls, open to attack.H376H4623H7307H5892H6555H2346