Intelligence, Proverbs

Those who spare their words are truly knowledgeable, and those who are discreet are intelligent.

+ Book of Proverbs 17, 27

http://www.usccb.org/bible/proverbs/17

Son, Proverbs

A foolish son is vexation to his father, and bitter sorrow to her who bore him.

+ Proverbs 17, 25

http://www.usccb.org/bible/proverbs/17

Wisdom, Book of Proverbs

On the countenance of a discerning person is wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

+ Proverbs 17, 24

[17:24] Wisdom is visible on the countenance (i.e., mouth, lips, tongue) of the wise person; its ultimate source is the heart. Fools have no such source of wisdom within them, a point that is nicely made by referring to the eye of the fool, roving over the landscape.

http://www.usccb.org/bible/proverbs/17

Bribe, Book of Proverbs

A guilty person takes out a bribe from the pocket, thus perverting the course of justice.

+ Proverbs 17, 23

[17:23] A sharp look at the sly withdrawing of a bribe from the pocket and a blunt judgment on its significance.

http://www.usccb.org/bible/proverbs/17

Heart, Book of Proverbs

A joyful heart is the health of the body, but a depressed spirit dries up the bones.

+ Book of Proverbs 17, 22

http://www.usccb.org/bible/proverbs/17

Fool, Book of Proverbs

Whoever conceives a fool has grief; the father of a numskull has no joy.

+ Book of Proverbs 17, 21

http://www.usccb.org/bible/proverbs/17

Happiness, Book of Proverbs

The perverse in heart come to no good, and the double-tongued fall into trouble.

+ Book of Proverbs 17, 20

[17:20] The saying employs the familiar metaphors of walking = conducting oneself (“fall into trouble”), and of straight and crooked = right and wrong (“perverse,” “double-tongued”).

http://www.usccb.org/bible/proverbs/17

Advice, Book of Proverbs

Those who love an offense love a fight; those who build their gate high* court disaster.

+ Book of Proverbs 17, 19

[17:19] Build their gate high: a symbol of arrogance.

http://www.usccb.org/bible/proverbs/17

Advice, Book of Proverbs

Those without sense give their hands in pledge, becoming surety for their neighbors.

+ Book of Proverbs 17, 18

http://www.usccb.org/bible/proverbs/17

Friend, Book of Proverbs

A friend is a friend at all times, and a brother is born for the time of adversity.

+ Book of Proverbs 17, 17

http://www.usccb.org/bible/proverbs/17

Advice, Book of Proverbs

Of what use is money in the hands of fools when they have no heart to acquire wisdom?

+ Book of Proverbs 17, 16

[17:16] The exhortation to acquire or purchase wisdom is common in Proverbs. Fools misunderstand the metaphor, assuming they can buy it with money. Their very misunderstanding shows they have no “heart” = mind, understanding. Money in the hand is no good without such a “heart” to store it in.

http://www.usccb.org/bible/proverbs/17

Advice, Book of Proverbs

Whoever acquits the wicked, whoever condemns the just—both are an abomination to the LORD.

+ Book of Proverbs 17, 15

http://www.usccb.org/bible/proverbs/17

Strife, Book of Proverbs

The start of strife is like the opening of a dam; check a quarrel before it bursts forth!

+ Book of Proverbs 17, 14

http://www.usccb.org/bible/proverbs/17

Advice, Book of Proverbs

If you return evil for good, evil will not depart from your house.

+ Book of Proverbs 17, 13

[17:13] The paradox is that to pay out evil for good means that the evil will never leave one’s own house.

http://www.usccb.org/bible/proverbs/17

Advice, Book of Proverbs

Face a bear robbed of her cubs, but never fools in their folly!

+ Book of Proverbs 17, 12

[17:12] Humorous hyperbole. An outraged dangerous beast poses less danger than a fool.

http://www.usccb.org/bible/proverbs/17

Advice, Book of Proverbs

The wicked pursue only rebellion, and a merciless messenger is sent against them.

+ Book of Proverbs 17, 11

[17:11] The irony is that such people will meet up with what they so energetically pursue—in the form of an unrelenting emissary sent to them.

http://www.usccb.org/bible/proverbs/17

Advice, Book of Proverbs

A single reprimand does more for a discerning person than a hundred lashes for a fool.

+ Book of Proverbs 17, 10

[17:10] A wonderful comment on the openness and sensitivity of the wise and the foolish. One type learns from a single word and for the other one hundred blows are not enough.

http://www.usccb.org/bible/proverbs/17

Advice, Book of Proverbs

Whoever overlooks an offense fosters friendship, but whoever gossips about it separates friends.

+ Book of Proverbs 17, 9

[17:9] A paradox. One finds (love, friend) by concealing (an offense), one loses (a friend) by revealing (a secret). In 10:12 love also covers over a multitude of offenses.

http://www.usccb.org/bible/proverbs/17

Advice, Book of Proverbs

A bribe seems a charm to its user; at every turn it brings success.

+ Book of Proverbs 17, 8

[17:8] An observation on the effect of the bribe upon the bribe-giver: it gives an intoxicating feeling of power (“seems”). In v. 23 the evil effects of a bribe are noted.

http://www.usccb.org/bible/proverbs/17

Advice, Book of Proverbs

Fine words ill fit a fool; how much more lying lips, a noble!

+ Book of Proverbs 17, 7

http://www.usccb.org/bible/proverbs/17

Advice, Book of Proverbs, Proverbs, Old Testament, Bible,