Rules with regard to correction, discretion, and avoiding lies.
20:1. How much better is it to reprove, than to be angry, and not to
hinder him that confesseth in prayer.
20:2. The lust of an eunuch shall deflour a young maiden:
20:3. So is he that by violence executeth of the unwise.
20:4. How good is it, when thou art reproved, to shew repentance! for
so thou shalt escape wilful sin.
20:5. There is one that holdeth his peace, that is found wise: and there
is another that is hateful, that is bold in speech.
20:6. There is one that holdeth his peace, because he knoweth not what
to say: and there is another that holdeth his peace, knowing the proper
time.
20:7. A wise man will hold his peace till he see opportunity: but a
babbler, and a fool, will regard no time.
20:8. He that useth many words shall hurt his own soul: and he that
taketh authority to himself unjustly shall be hated.
20:9. There is success in evil things to a man without discipline, and
there is a finding that turneth to loss.
20:10. There is a gift that is not profitable: and there is a gift, the
recompense of which is double.
20:11. There is an abasement because of glory: and there is one that
shall lift up his head from a low estate.
20:12. There is that buyeth much for a small price, and restoreth the
same sevenfold.
20:13. A man wise in words shall make himself beloved: but the graces of
fools shall be poured out.
20:14. The gift of the fool shall do thee no good: for his eyes are
sevenfold.
20:15. He will give a few things, and upbraid much: and the opening of
his mouth is the kindling of a fire.
20:16. To day a man lendeth, and to morrow he asketh it again: such a
man as this is hateful.
20:17. A fool shall have no friend, and there shall be no thanks for his
good deeds.
20:18. For they that eat his bread, are of a false tongue. How often,
and how many will laugh him to scorn!
20:19. For he doth not distribute with right understanding that which
was to be had: in like manner also that which was not to be had.
20:20. The slipping of a false tongue is as one that falleth on the
pavement: so the fall of the wicked shall come speedily.
20:21. A man without grace is as a vain fable, it shall be continually
in the mouth of the unwise.
20:22. A parable coming out of a fool's mouth shall be rejected: for he
doth not speak it in due season.
20:23. There is that is hindered from sinning through want, and in his
rest he shall be pricked.
20:24. There is that will destroy his own soul through shamefacedness,
and by occasion of an unwise person he will destroy it: and by respect
of person he will destroy himself.
20:25. There is that for bashfulness promiseth to his friend, and maketh
him his enemy for nothing.
20:26. A lie is a foul blot in a man, and yet it will be continually in
the mouth of men without discipline.
20:27. A thief is better than a man that is always lying: but both of
them shall inherit destruction.
20:28. The manners of lying men are without honour: and their confusion
is with them without ceasing.
20:29. A wise man shall advance himself with his words, and a prudent
man shall please the great ones.
20:30. He that tilleth his land shall make a high heap of corn: and he
that worketh justice shall be exalted: and he that pleaseth great men
shall escape iniquity.
20:31. Presents and gifts blind the eyes of judges, and make them dumb
in the mouth, so that they cannot correct.
20:32. O Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is not seen: what profit
is there in them both?
20:33. Better is he that hideth his folly, than the man that hideth his
wisdom.