⁴ An evildoer listens to wicked lips,
    and a liar gives heed to a mischievous tongue.

⁷ Excess speech is not becoming to a fool;
    still less is false speech to a ruler.^[a]

²⁰ The crooked of mind do not prosper,
    and the perverse of tongue fall into calamity.^(A)

²⁷ One who spares words is knowledgeable;
    one who is cool in spirit has understanding.^(A)
28 Even fools who keep silent are considered wise;
    when they close their lips, they are deemed intelligent.^(B)