Lots of people flock around a generous person;
    everyone’s a friend to the philanthropist.

When you’re down on your luck, even your family avoids you—
    yes, even your best friends wish you’d get lost.
If they see you coming, they look the other way—
    out of sight, out of mind.

Grow a wise heart—you’ll do yourself a favor;
    keep a clear head—you’ll find a good life.

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Many curry favor with a ruler,(A)
    and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts.(B)

The poor are shunned by all their relatives—
    how much more do their friends avoid them!(C)
Though the poor pursue them with pleading,
    they are nowhere to be found.[a](D)

The one who gets wisdom loves life;
    the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.(E)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:7 The meaning of the Hebrew for this sentence is uncertain.