PROVERBS A CHAPTER A DAY

PROVERBS 18

The comments are interleaved with the text

18 

He who isolates himself indulges his desires

    and shows contempt for sound advice of any kind.

MANY RELIGIONS INCLUDING CHRISTIANITY HAVE PEOPLE WHO ISOLATED THEMSELVES TO CONTROL THEIR DESIRES. JUDAISM IS FUNDAMENTALLY COMMUNAL

2 

A fool takes no pleasure in trying to understand;

    he only wants to express his own opinion.

AH YES, I CAN REMEMBER DOING THAT

3 

When a wicked person comes, contempt comes too,

    and with disdain, provocation.

4 

The words of a man’s mouth are deep water,

    a gushing torrent, a fountain of wisdom.

IN SPITE OF ALL MISUSE, THIS REVERENCES THE GIFT OF HUMAN SPEECH, THE UNIQUE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE EXPERIENCE

5 

It is not good to be partial to the guilty

    and thus deprive the innocent of justice.

THE USE OF VICTIM STATEMENTS IN OUR COURTS TRIES TO DEAL WITH THE ONE-SIDEDNESS THAT COMES FROM CONCENTRATING ON THE PERPETRATOR.

6 

A fool’s words get him into fights;

    yes, his mouth calls out for a smack.

I’VE FELT THIS

7 

A fool’s mouth is his ruin;

    his words are a trap for him.

MAYBE THAT’S WHY I DON’T NEED TO SMACK HIM

8 

A slanderer’s words are tasty morsels;

    they slide right down into the belly.

SADLY TRUE

9 

Whoever is lazy in doing his work

    is brother to the destroyer.

10 

The name of the Lord is a strong tower;

    a just person runs to it and is raised above danger.

THE DANGER OF BEING UNJUST

11 

The wealth of the rich is his fortified city,

    like a high wall, in his own imagination.

SOMETIMES THE RICH TUMBLE DOWN, BUT NOT OFTEN ENOUGH

12 

Before being ruined, a person’s heart is proud;

    before being honored, a person is humble.

YES

13 

To give an answer before listening

    is both stupid and shameful.

OH YES

14 

A person’s spirit can sustain him when ill,

    but a crushed spirit — who can bear it?

THIS CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE

15 

The mind of a person with discernment gets knowledge,

    and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

HOW VERY LONG IT TOOK ME TO ADMIT MY DESIRE FOR KNOWLEDGE

16 

A person’s talent clears his way

    and gives him access to the great.

17 

The first to state his case seems right,

    till the other one comes and questions.

YES

18 

Casting lots puts an end to strife

    and separates powerful disputants.

19 

It is harder to win an offended brother than a strong city;

    and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress.

SADLY TRUE

20 

A person’s belly will be filled with the fruit of his mouth;

    with what his lips produce he will be filled.

THIS SUGGESTS THAT YOUR TALK CAN WIN YOU A LIVELIHOOD

21 

The tongue has power over life and death;

    those who indulge it must eat its fruit.

THIS SUGGESTS THAT IT CAN ALSO BEING YOU TROUBLE

22 

The man who finds a wife finds a great good;

    She is a gift from the Lord.

HOW TO SAY THIS IN THESE ASEXUAL TIMES? “A PERSON WHO FINDS ANOTHER PERSON OF APPROPRIATE GENDER…?” AS IT STANDS, IT’S TRUE.

23 

The poor man speaks beseechingly,

    the rich man’s answer is blunt.

SADLY TRUE

24 

Some “friends” pretend to be friends,

    but a true friend sticks closer than a brother.

BROTHERS HAVE BEEN PRETTY GOOD TO ME