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14 Wise people treasure knowledge,
    but the babbling of a fool invites disaster.

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14 A wise man holds his tongue. Only a fool blurts out everything he knows; that only leads to sorrow and trouble.

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With their words, the godless destroy their friends,
    but knowledge will rescue the righteous.

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Evil words destroy; godly skill rebuilds.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 11:9 Evil words destroy; godly skill rebuilds, or “When a godless man slanders his neighbor, the charges won’t stick because everyone knows his reputation.”

16 Wise people think before they act;
    fools don’t—and even brag about their foolishness.

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16 A wise man thinks ahead; a fool doesn’t and even brags about it!

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18 Simpletons are clothed with foolishness,[a]
    but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

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Footnotes

  1. 14:18 Or inherit foolishness.

18 The simpleton is crowned with folly; the wise man is crowned with knowledge.

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The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing,
    but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.

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A wise teacher makes learning a joy; a rebellious teacher spouts foolishness.

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The lips of the wise give good advice;
    the heart of a fool has none to give.

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Only the good can give good advice. Rebels can’t.

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14 A wise person is hungry for knowledge,
    while the fool feeds on trash.

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14 A wise man is hungry for truth, while the mocker feeds on trash.

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15 Intelligent people are always ready to learn.
    Their ears are open for knowledge.

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15 The intelligent man is always open to new ideas. In fact, he looks for them.

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Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good;
    haste makes mistakes.

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It is dangerous and sinful to rush into the unknown.

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15 Wise words are more valuable
    than much gold and many rubies.

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15 Good sense is far more valuable than gold or precious jewels.

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11 If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded become wise;
    if you instruct the wise, they will be all the wiser.

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11 The wise man learns by listening; the simpleton can learn only by seeing scorners punished.

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12 Commit yourself to instruction;
    listen carefully to words of knowledge.

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12 Don’t refuse to accept criticism; get all the help[a] you can.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 23:12 help, literally, “knowledge.”

A house is built by wisdom
    and becomes strong through good sense.
Through knowledge its rooms are filled
    with all sorts of precious riches and valuables.

The wise are mightier than the strong,[a]
    and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger.

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Footnotes

  1. 24:5 As in Greek version; Hebrew reads A wise man is strength.

3-4 Any enterprise is built by wise planning, becomes strong through common sense, and profits wonderfully by keeping abreast of the facts.

A wise man is mightier than a strong man. Wisdom is mightier than strength.

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