A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing. —Proverbs 20:4 The sluggard—variously translated lazy, slacker, slothful—has surrendered, laid down his arms, decided not to fight. Or just decided not to decide. He has given […]
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Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise. —Proverbs 19:20 “A wise man listens to advice” (Prov. 12:15). Listening to advice leads to wisdom; and wisdom leads to listening to advice. Not that all advice is good: “Blessed is the man who does
There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. —Proverbs 18:24 You thought she was your friend. Then you found out that she was talking behind your back, putting you down, revealing information you had spoken
The tongue has the power of life and death. —Proverbs 18:21 Words deliver hope, comfort, and encouragement to people—and praise, honor, and thanksgiving to God. “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver” (Prov.
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The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him. —Proverbs 18:17 Have you noticed that when things go wrong it is always someone else’s fault? It isn’t deliberate dishonesty; it’s just that we look
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. —Proverbs 17:17 A true friend is … Tolerant. He avoids passing judgment; is tolerant of flaws and failures. Unselfish. She is not self-centered; does not have to be the focus of attention. With her
Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city. —Proverbs 16:32 A trigger temper is a sign of immaturity; childish people are easily provoked. “Anger
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How good is a timely word. —Proverbs 15:23 Kind words heal. Harsh words hurt. “Their words bite deep like the poisonous fangs of a snake” (Ps. 140:3 CEV). Have you ever been on the receiving end of stinging words? Sure you have. Put it behind you. Repeatedly replaying spiteful, hurtful words puts
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The cheerful heart has a continual feast. —Proverbs 15:15 Some people could sulk their way through Disneyland. They’re chronic complainers—gruff, grouchy, gloomy, souls that you’d walk across the street to avoid. Then there are their opposites—delightful folks who are always cheerful, even when the
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. —Proverbs 15:1 Gentle words defuse explosive situations; harsh words light the fuse. Caustic words inflict wounds that heal slowly, if ever. Eric Idle said it well: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will
