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Don’t waste your breath on fools,
    for they will despise the wisest advice.

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Do not speak in the hearing of a fool,
    who will only despise the wisdom of your words.(A)

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12 To one who listens, valid criticism
    is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.

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12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold
    is a wise rebuke to a listening ear.(A)

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An open rebuke
    is better than hidden love!

Wounds from a sincere friend
    are better than many kisses from an enemy.

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Better is open rebuke
    than hidden love.(A)
Well meant are the wounds a friend inflicts,
    but profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

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17 As iron sharpens iron,
    so a friend sharpens a friend.

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17 Iron sharpens iron,
    and one person sharpens the wits[a] of another.

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Footnotes

  1. 27.17 Heb face

29 Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism
    will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery.

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29 One who is often reproved, yet remains stubborn,
    will suddenly be broken beyond healing.(A)

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