2 The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life. 3 It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel. 4 The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.
Proverbs 20:2–4
Semantically similar passages
Proverbs 16:13–15
13 Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved. 14 The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it. 15 When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
Proverbs 18:5–7
5 Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice. 6 A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating. 7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
Proverbs 19:11–13
11 A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense. 12 A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass. 13 A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.
Proverbs 12:15–17
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel. 16 A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. 17 He who speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit.
Sirach 8:1–2
1 Don’t contend with a mighty man, lest perhaps you fall into his hands. (WEB) 2 Don’t strive with a rich man, lest perhaps he overpower you; for gold has destroyed many, and turned away the hearts of kings. (WEB)
Proverbs 29:10–12
10 Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life. 11 A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back. 12 If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked.
Proverbs 13:2–4
2 From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things, but the desire of the faithless is violence. 3 He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin. 4 The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is…
Proverbs 14:34–35
34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. 35 A king delights in a wise servant, but his anger falls on the shameful.
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