Value of Reputation and Character

1

Rather than wealth, choose a good reputation, esteem over silver and gold.

2

Rich and poor have this in common -ADONAI made them both.

3

The clever see trouble coming and hide; the simple go on and pay the penalty.

4

The reward for humility is fear of ADONAI, along with wealth, honor and life.

5

Thorns and snares beset the way of the stubborn; he who values his life keeps his distance from them.

6

Train a child in the way he [should] go; and, even when old, he will not swerve from it.

7

The rich rule the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.

8

He who sows injustice reaps trouble, and the rod of his angry outburst will fail.

9

He who is generous is blessed, because he shares his food with the poor.

10

Throw the scoffer out, and quarreling goes too; strife and insults cease.

11

He who loves the pure-hearted and is gracious in speech will have the king as his friend.

12

The eyes of ADONAI protect [the man with] knowledge, but he overturns the plans of a traitor.

13

A lazy man says, "There's a lion outside! I'll be killed if I go out in the street!"

14

The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; the man with whom ADONAI is angry falls into it.

15

Doing wrong is firmly tied to the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away from him.

16

Both oppressing the poor to enrich oneself and giving to the rich yield only loss.