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Wrongdoers perk up when listening to gossip,
    and liars lean in close to hear talk of mischief.

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A wicked person listens to deceitful lips;
    a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.

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Elegant speech sounds odd when it comes from a fool,
    and a lie on the lips of a leader is even more out of place!

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Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool—
    how much worse lying lips to a ruler!(A)

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20 Crooked-hearted people never recognize anything good,
    and those who distort the truth court disaster.

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20 One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper;
    one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble.

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27 Those with knowledge know when to be quiet,
    and those with understanding know how to remain calm.
28 Even a fool who keeps quiet is considered wise,
    for when he keeps his mouth shut, he appears clever.

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27 The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint,(A)
    and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.(B)

28 Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent,
    and discerning if they hold their tongues.(C)

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