Author Archives: david

A man of many companions may come to ruin,     but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 There was not time in yesterday’s Note to deal with these well-known words. The rendering of 24a is much… →

A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city,     and quarrelling is like the bars of a castle. From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied;     he is satisfied by the yield of his lips. Death… →

A man’s spirit will endure sickness,     but a crushed spirit who can bear? An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,     and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. A man’s gift makes room for him     and brings him before the great. The one who… →

Whoever is slack in his work     is a brother to him who destroys. The name of the Lord is a strong tower;     the righteous man runs into it and is safe. A rich man’s wealth is his strong city,     and like a high wall in… →

It is not good to be partial to the wicked     or to deprive the righteous of justice. A fool’s lips walk into a fight,     and his mouth invites a beating. A fool’s mouth is his ruin,     and his lips are a snare to his… →

Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire;     he breaks out against all sound judgement. A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,     but only in expressing his opinion. When wickedness comes, contempt comes also,     and with dishonour comes disgrace. The words of a… →

A joyful heart is good medicine,     but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. The wicked accepts a bribe in secret     to pervert the ways of justice. The discerning sets his face towards wisdom,     but the eyes of a fool are on the… →

Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom     when he has no sense? A friend loves at all times,     and a brother is born for adversity. One who lacks sense gives a pledge     and puts up security… →

Let a man meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs     rather than a fool in his folly. If anyone returns evil for good,     evil will not depart from his house. The beginning of strife is like letting out water,     so quit before the… →

A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of the one who gives it;     wherever he turns he prospers. Whoever covers an offence seeks love,     but he who repeats a matter separates close friends. A rebuke goes deeper into a… →