Wisdom and Foolishness

11 Whoever keeps the law controls his thoughts,

and the fulfillment of the fear of the Lord is wisdom.

12 The one who is not clever cannot be taught,

but there is a cleverness that increases bitterness.

13 The knowledge of the wise will increase like a flood,

and their counsel like a life-giving spring.

14 The mindd of a fool is like a broken jar;

it can hold no knowledge.

15 When an intelligent person hears a wise saying,

he praises it and adds to it;

when a foole hears it, he laughs atf it

and throws it behind his back.

16 A fool’s chatter is like a burden on a journey,

but delight is found in the speech of the intelligent.

17 The utterance of a sensible person is sought in the assembly,

and they ponder his words in their minds.

18 Like a house in ruins is wisdom to a fool,

and to the ignorant, knowledge is talk that has no meaning.

19 To a senseless person education is fetters on his feet,

and like manacles on his right hand.

20 A fool raises his voice when he laughs,

but the wiseg smile quietly.

21 To the sensible person education is like a golden ornament,

and like a bracelet on the right arm.

22 The foot of a fool rushes into a house,

but an experienced person waits respectfully outside.

23 A boor peers into the house from the door,

but a cultivated person remains outside.

24 It is ill-mannered for a person to listen at a door;

the discreet would be grieved by the disgrace.

25 The lips of babblers speak of what is not their concern.h

but the words of the prudent are weighed in the balance.

26 The mind of fools is in their mouth,

but the mouth of the wise is ini their mind.

27 When an ungodly person curses an adversary,j

he curses himself.

28 A whisperer degrades himself

and is hated in his neighborhood.