---
title: Proverbs 17
slug: kjv/proverbs-17
createdAt: 2024-08-21T03:07:16.541Z
---

**1 **Better *is* a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices *with* strife.

**2 **A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.

**3 **The fining pot *is* for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.

**4 **A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; *and* a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.

**5 **Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: *and* he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

**6 **Children's children *are* the crown of old men; and the glory of children *are* their fathers.

**7 **Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

**8 **A gift *is as* a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

**9 **He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth *very* friends.

**10 **A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.

**11 **An evil *man* seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

**12 **Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

**13 **Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

**14 **The beginning of strife *is as* when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

**15 **He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both *are* abomination to the LORD.

**16 **Wherefore *is there* a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing *he hath* no heart *to it*?

**17 **A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

**18 **A man void of understanding striketh hands, *and* becometh surety in the presence of his friend.

**19 **He loveth transgression that loveth strife: *and* he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.

**20 **He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.

**21 **He that begetteth a fool *doeth it* to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.

**22 **A merry heart doeth good *like* a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

**23 **A wicked *man* taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

**24 **Wisdom *is* before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool *are* in the ends of the earth.

**25 **A foolish son *is* a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.

**26 **Also to punish the just *is* not good, *nor* to strike princes for equity.

**27 **He that hath knowledge spareth his words: *and* a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

**28 **Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: *and* he that shutteth his lips *is esteemed* a man of understanding.