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.