Proverbs 15:1-17

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

15 A soft answer turns away wrath,
    but a harsh word stirs up anger.
² The tongue of the wise dispenses knowledge,^[a]
    but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
³ The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
    keeping watch on the evil and the good.
⁴ A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
    but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
⁵ A fool despises a parent’s instruction,
    but the one who heeds admonition is prudent.
⁶ In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
    but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.
⁷ The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
    not so the minds of fools.
⁸ The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
    but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
⁹ The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
    but he loves the one who pursues righteousness.
¹⁰ There is severe discipline for one who forsakes the way,
    but one who hates a rebuke will die.
¹¹ Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord,
    how much more human hearts!
¹² Scoffers do not like to be rebuked;
    they will not go to the wise.
¹³ A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance,
    but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.
¹⁴ The mind of one who has understanding seeks knowledge,
    but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
¹⁵ All the days of the poor are hard,
    but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
¹⁶ Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
    than great treasure and trouble with it.
¹⁷ Better is a dinner of vegetables where love is
    than a fatted ox and hatred with it.