A gang of cynics can upset a whole city;
    a group of sages can calm everyone down.

A sage trying to work things out with a fool
    gets only scorn and sarcasm for his trouble.

10 Murderers hate honest people;
    moral folks encourage them.

Read full chapter

Mockers stir up a city,
    but the wise turn away anger.(A)

If a wise person goes to court with a fool,
    the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.

10 The bloodthirsty hate a person of integrity
    and seek to kill the upright.(B)

Read full chapter