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. 5 The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.
Proverbs 20:3–5
Semantically similar passages
Proverbs 12:22–24
22 Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight. 23 A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly. 24 The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
Proverbs 18:1–3
1 He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment. 2 A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions. 3 With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace.
Proverbs 15:13–15
13 A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit. 14 A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. 15 All the days of the oppressed are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
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 10:13–15
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. 15 The wealth of the rich man is his fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor.
Proverbs 14:28–30
28 A large population is a king’s splendor, but a lack of subjects is a prince’s ruin. 29 A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly. 30 A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
Proverbs 14:22–24
22 Do not those who contrive evil go astray? But those who plan goodness find loving devotion and faithfulness. 23 There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty. 24 The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the effort of fools is folly.
Proverbs 18:12–14
12 Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. 13 He who answers a matter before he hears it— this is folly and disgrace to him. 14 The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?
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