Proverbs 17:8-22

⁸Whoever gives a bribe thinks it's a magical stone—that wherever they turn they'll have success!

⁹If you forgive a wrong you encourage friendship, but if you keep talking about it you'll lose your friend.

¹⁰A reprimand hits a thinking person more than one hundred blows hit someone stupid.

¹¹Evil people are only looking to rebel, so a cruel messenger will be sent to attack them.

¹²Better to meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs than a stupid person and their foolishness.

¹³If you repay evil for good, evil will never leave your house.

¹⁴The beginning of a quarrel is like the first leak in a water dam, so drop it before a major argument bursts out.

¹⁵The Lord hates it when the wicked are acquitted and the innocent condemned.

¹⁶Is there any point in stupid people trying to buy wisdom when they don't want to learn?

¹⁷A true friend is always there to love you, and family provides help when troubles come.

¹⁸It's not a wise idea to make a pledge and guarantee a neighbor's debt.

¹⁹People who love sin like to argue; those who build high gates invite destruction.

²⁰People with warped minds don't succeed; those who tell lies get into trouble.

²¹A stupid son brings grief to his father; the father of a child who does stupid things has no joy.

²²A cheerful attitude is like good medicine, but discouragement makes you sick.