# Proverbs 18 [[Prov-17|← Proverbs 17]] | [[Proverbs]] | [[Prov-19|Proverbs 19 →]] *** ###### v1 A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment. ###### v2 A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion. ###### v3 When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace. ###### v4 The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook. ###### v5 To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice. ###### v6 A fool's lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings. ###### v7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul. ###### v8 The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person's innermost parts. ###### v9 One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction. ###### v10 Yahweh's name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe. ###### v11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination. ###### v12 Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility. ###### v13 He who answers before he hears, that is folly and shame to him. ###### v14 A man's spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear? ###### v15 The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge. ###### v16 A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men. ###### v17 He who pleads his cause first seems right; until another comes and questions him. ###### v18 The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart. ###### v19 A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city. Disputes are like the bars of a fortress. ###### v20 A man's stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied. ###### v21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit. ###### v22 Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of Yahweh. ###### v23 The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly. ###### v24 A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. *** [[Prov-17|← Proverbs 17]] | [[Proverbs]] | [[Prov-19|Proverbs 19 →]]