Proverbs 18:13-24

He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him. The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, But who can bear a broken spirit? The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men. The first one to plead his cause seems right, Until his neighbor comes and examines him. Casting lots causes contentions to cease, And keeps the mighty apart. A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a castle. A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; From the produce of his lips he shall be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD. The poor man uses entreaties, But the rich answers roughly. A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.