1A kind reply wards off anger, but hurtful words make people mad.
2What wise people say makes knowledge attractive, but stupid people talk a lot of nonsense.
3The Lord sees everywhere, watching the evil and the good.
4Gentle words are a source of life, but telling lies does a lot of damage.
5Only a foolish son despises his father's instruction, but one who accepts correction is sensible.
6There's plenty of treasure where good people live, but the income of the wicked brings them trouble.
7Wise people share their knowledge, but stupid people don't think like that.
8The Lord hates the sacrifices of the wicked, but he loves the prayers of the good.
9The Lord hates the ways of the wicked, but he loves those who do what is right.
10If you leave the right path you will be severely disciplined; anyone who hates correction will die.
11Those already dead have no secrets from the Lord—how much more does he know our thoughts!
12Scoffers don't like to be corrected, so they don't go to the wise for advice.
13If you're happy inside, you'll have a cheerful face, but if you're sad, you look crushed.
14An insightful mind looks for knowledge, but stupid people feed on foolishness.
15The life of poor people is hard, but if you stay cheerful, it's a continual feast.