17:1 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.

17:2 A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son, and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.

17:3 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart.

17:4 A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar pays attention to a malicious tongue.

17:5 He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.

17:6 Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.

17:7 Arrogant lips are unsuited to a fool--how much worse lying lips to a ruler!

17:8 A bribe is a charm to the one who gives it; wherever he turns, he succeeds.

17:9 He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

17:10 A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool.

17:11 An evil man is bent only on rebellion; a merciless official will be sent against him.

17:12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly.

17:13 If a man pays back evil for good, evil will never leave his house.

17:14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.

17:15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent--the LORD detests them both.

17:16 Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom?

17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

17:18 A man lacking in judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor.

17:19 He who loves a quarrel loves sin; he who builds a high gate invites destruction.

17:20 A man of perverse heart does not prosper; he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble.

17:21 To have a fool for a son brings grief; there is no joy for the father of a fool.

17:22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

17:23 A wicked man accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the course of justice.

17:24 A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

17:25 A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the one who bore him.

17:26 It is not good to punish an innocent man, or to flog officials for their integrity.

17:27 A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.

17:28 Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.