17:1   A dry crust of bread eaten in peace and quiet is better than a feast eaten where everyone argues.

17:2   A hard-working slave will be placed in charge of a no-good child, and that slave will be given the same inheritance that each child receives.

17:3   Silver and gold are tested by flames of fire; our thoughts are tested by the LORD.

17:4   Troublemakers listen to troublemakers, and liars listen to liars.

17:5   By insulting the poor, you insult your Creator. You will be punished if you make fun of someone in trouble.

17:6   Grandparents are proud of their grandchildren, and children should be proud of their parents.

17:7   It sounds strange for a fool to talk sensibly, but it's even worse for a ruler to tell lies.

17:8   A bribe works miracles like a magic charm that brings good luck.

17:9   You will keep your friends if you forgive them, but you will lose your friends if you keep talking about what they did wrong.

17:10   A sensible person accepts correction, but you can't beat sense into a fool.

17:11   Cruel people want to rebel, and so vicious attackers will be sent against them.

17:12   A bear robbed of her cubs is far less dangerous than a stubborn fool.

17:13   You will always have trouble if you are mean to those who are good to you.

17:14   The start of an argument is like a water leak-- so stop it before real trouble breaks out.

17:15   The LORD doesn't like those who defend the guilty or condemn the innocent.

17:16   Why should fools have money for an education when they refuse to learn?

17:17   A friend is always a friend, and relatives are born to share our troubles.

17:18   It's stupid to guarantee someone else's loan.

17:19   The wicked and the proud love trouble and keep begging to be hurt.

17:20   Dishonesty does you no good, and telling lies will get you in trouble.

17:21   It's never pleasant to be the parent of a fool and have nothing but pain.

17:22   If you are cheerful, you feel good; if you are sad, you hurt all over.

17:23   Crooks accept secret bribes to keep justice from being done.

17:24   Anyone with wisdom knows what makes good sense, but fools can never make up their minds.

17:25   Foolish children bring sorrow to their father and pain to their mother.

17:26   It isn't fair to punish the innocent and those who do right.

17:27   It makes a lot of sense to be a person of few words and to stay calm.

17:28   Even fools seem smart when they are quiet.