Proverbs chapter 17

vs 19

Damn you, but he's right. Most quarrelling is for no purpose other than to make you feel better or to make someone else feel worse. It's all posturing, with little to do with any actual learning. The walls represent that, I suppose - or the kind of person who just cuts themselves off from the world at large.

vs 20

There's a difference between getting somewhere, even somewhere fairly high up, and prospering. You know someone is prospering when joy accompanies all their so-called successes.

vs 21

Ouch. But having seen the grief a non-Christian child can cause Christian parents, simply knowing he's off the rails, as it were, it's totally believable.

vs 22

People actually die from a broken spirit. You look at the number of political leaders who, upon losing power, just shrivel up and die.

vs 23

As if you didn't know. But yes, it is wicked to do so! Stop perverting the justice system!

vs 24

Not that there's a problem with looking around - but it's about focus. You focus on wisdom, because it's most valuable and important. The fool's focus is anywhere but God.

vs 25

Rinse, wash, repeat.

vs 26

Punishing honesty is bad. And yet it happens - just look at whistleblowers. Really, you only punish honesty if you fear the truth. I know sometimes saying nothing is wiser than saying something, but even then, no reason for a flogging.

vs 27

Hmmm... some of those would be good for me. Damn stupid useful wisdom proverbs - I mean, erm, ahem.

vs 28

Why can't I learn this lesson! It's so simple, and so true. But I just can't get a grasp on it. I need Proverbs 17:28 tattooed on my hands or something.