Proverbs 17 (KJV)   Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an 
house full of sacrifices with strife. {2} A wise servant shall have rule over 
a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the 
brethren. {3} The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the 
LORD trieth the hearts. {4} A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a 
liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue. {5} Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth 
his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished. 
{6} Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children 
are their fathers. {7} Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do 
lying lips a prince. {8} A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that 
hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth. {9} He that covereth a 
transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very 
friends. {10} A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes 
into a fool. {11} An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel 
messenger shall be sent against him. {12} Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet 
a man, rather than a fool in his folly. {13} Whoso rewardeth evil for good, 
evil shall not depart from his house. {14} The beginning of strife is as when 
one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled 
with. {15} He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, 
even they both are abomination to the LORD. {16} Wherefore is there a price in 
the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it? {17} A friend 
loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. {18} A man void of 
understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his 
friend. {19} He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth 
his gate seeketh destruction. {20} He that hath a froward heart findeth no 
good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief. {21} He that 
begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy. 
{22} A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the 
bones. {23} A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of 
judgment. {24} Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a 
fool are in the ends of the earth. {25} A foolish son is a grief to his 
father, and bitterness to her that bare him. {26} Also to punish the just is 
not good, nor to strike princes for equity. {27} He that hath knowledge 
spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. 
{28} Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that 
shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. 

