2 He who walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him. 3 The proud speech of a fool brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them. 4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox.
Proverbs 14:2–4
Semantically similar passages
Proverbs 10:12–14
12 Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all transgressions. 13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment. 14 The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of the fool invites destruction.
Proverbs 13:5–7
5 The righteous hate falsehood, but the wicked bring shame and disgrace. 6 Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness undermines the sinner. 7 One pretends to be rich, but has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
Proverbs 14:7–9
7 Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech. 8 The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them. 9 Fools mock the making of amends, but goodwill is found among the upright.
Ecclesiastes 10:11–13
11 If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer. 12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him. 13 The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness.
Proverbs 10:30–32
30 The righteous will never be shaken, but the wicked will not inhabit the land. 31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out. 32 The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked is perverse.
Proverbs 10:7–9
7 The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. 8 A wise heart will receive commandments, but foolish lips will come to ruin. 9 He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.
Proverbs 15:4–6
4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. 5 A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent. 6 The house of the righteous has great treasure, but the income of the wicked is trouble.
Proverbs 13:12–14
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life. 13 He who despises instruction will pay the penalty, but the one who respects a command will be rewarded. 14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning one from the snares of dea…
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