[19] If you love to argue, then you must be in love with sin. For the one who loves to boast is only asking for trouble. [27] Can you bridle your tongue when your heart is under pressure? That’s how you show that you are wise. An understanding heart keeps you cool, calm, and collected, no matter what you’re facing. [28] When even a fool bites his tongue he’s considered wise. So shut your mouth when you are provoked— it will make you look smart. Proverbs 17:16, 19-20, 24-25, 27-28 AMPC [16] Of what use is money in the hand of a [self-confident] fool to buy skillful and godly Wisdom–when he has no understanding or heart for it? [19] He who loves strife and is quarrelsome loves transgression and involves himself in guilt; he who raises high his gateway and is boastful and arrogant invites destruction. [20] He who has a wayward and crooked mind finds no good, and he who has a willful and contrary tongue will fall into calamity. [James 3:8.] [24] A man of understanding sets skillful and godly Wisdom before his face, but the eyes of a [self-confident] fool are on the ends of the earth. [25] A self-confident and foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him. [27] He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding has a cool spirit. [James 1:19.] [28] Even a fool when he holds his peace is considered wise; when he closes his lips he is esteemed a man of understanding. Proverbs 17:4, 7, 9-10, 14, 19-20, 24, 27-28 NLT [4] Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip; liars pay close attention to slander. [7] Eloquent words are not fitting for a fool; even less are lies fitting for a ruler. [9] Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends. [10] A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool. [14] Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out. [19] Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin; anyone who trusts in high walls invites disaster. [20] The crooked heart will not prosper; the lying tongue tumbles into trouble.

[8] Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest. Proverbs 16:8 TPT [8] It is better to have little with a heart that loves justice than to be rich and not have God on your side. Proverbs 16:8 AMP [8] Better is a little with righteousness (uprightness in every area and relation and right standing with God) than great revenues with injustice. [Ps. 37:16; Prov. 15:16.]

Proverbs 14:2 - Whoever walks in uprightness fears the Lord, but he who is devious in his ways despises him.

TPT [28] Lovers of God think before they speak, but the careless blurt out wicked words meant to cause harm. Proverbs 15:28 NLT [28] The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words. Proverbs 15:28 AMPC [28] The mind of the [uncompromisingly] righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. [I Pet. 3:15.]

[1] A wise son or daughter desires a father’s discipline, but the know-it-all never listens to correction.