²⁶ It is an honor to receive a frank reply.

^8-10 Don’t be hotheaded and rush to court! You may start something you can’t finish and go down before your neighbor in shameful defeat. So discuss the matter with him privately. Don’t tell anyone else, lest he accuse you of slander and you can’t withdraw what you said.

¹¹ Timely advice is as lovely as gold apples in a silver basket.

¹² It is a badge of honor to accept valid criticism.

¹³ A faithful employee is as refreshing as a cool day^[a] in the hot summertime.

¹⁴ One who doesn’t give the gift he promised is like a cloud blowing over a desert without dropping any rain.

¹⁵ Be patient and you will finally win, for a soft tongue can break hard bones.

²⁰ Being happy-go-lucky around a person whose heart is heavy is as bad as stealing his jacket in cold weather or rubbing salt in his wounds.^[a]

^4-5 When arguing with a rebel, don’t use foolish arguments as he does, or you will become as foolish as he is! Prick his conceit with silly replies!^[a]

¹⁷ Yanking a dog’s ears is no more foolish than interfering in an argument that isn’t any of your business.

^18-19 A man who is caught lying to his neighbor and says, “I was just fooling,” is like a madman throwing around firebrands, arrows, and death!

²³ In the end, people appreciate frankness more than flattery.

²⁰ There is more hope for a fool than for a man of quick temper.