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1A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of the one who gives it; wherever he turns he prospers.
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Whoever 2covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter 3separates close friends.
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A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.
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An evil man seeks only rebellion, and 4a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
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Let a man meet 5a she-bear robbed of her cubs 6rather than a fool in his folly.
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If anyone 7returns evil for good, 8evil will not depart from his house.
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The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so 9quit before the quarrel breaks out.
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He who 10justifies the wicked and he who 11condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the LORD.
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Why should a fool have money in his hand 12to buy wisdom when he has no sense?
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13A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
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One who lacks sense gives a pledge and puts up security in the presence of his neighbor.
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Whoever loves transgression loves strife; he who 14makes his door high seeks destruction.
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15A man of crooked heart does not discover good, and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity.
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He who 16sires a fool gets himself sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.
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17A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit 18dries up the bones.
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The wicked accepts 19a bribe in secret to 20pervert the ways of justice.
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21The discerning sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
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22A foolish son is a grief to his father 23and bitterness to 24her who bore him.
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25To impose a fine on a righteous man is not good, nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.
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Whoever 26restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
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Even a fool 27who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.