14Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate,

so stop before a dispute breaks out.

15Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—

both are detestable to the Lord.

16It is senseless to pay to educate a fool,

since he has no heart for learning.

17A friend is always loyal,

and a brother is born to help in time of need.

18It’s poor judgment to guarantee another person’s debt

or put up security for a friend.

19Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin;

anyone who trusts in high walls invites disaster.

20The crooked heart will not prosper;

the lying tongue tumbles into trouble.

21It is painful to be the parent of a fool;

there is no joy for the father of a rebel.

22A cheerful heart is good medicine,

but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.

23The wicked take secret bribes

to pervert the course of justice.

24Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom,

but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.