--- title: "The Selfishness of the Unfriendly" description: "He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound..." image: "" book: "Proverbs" bookId: "PRO" testament: "old" startChapter: 18 startVerse: 1 endChapter: 18 endVerse: 24 coversChapters: [18] aiTitle: "The Selfishness of the Unfriendly" aiDescription: "He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound..." hasAiStory: true location: "" persons: ["God"] hashtags: ["humility","righteousness","truth","judgment"] genre: "wisdom" readingTime: 2 type: "adaptive" slug: "PRO/the-selfishness-of-the-unfriendly" canonicalId: "PRO.18.1-18.24" chronologicalOrder: 722 relatedSlugs: ["PRO/the-wise-son","EPH/righteous-living","MAT/responses-to-jesus","PRO/loving-discipline-and-knowledge","COL/rules-for-holy-living","PRO/a-fathers-discipline","2SA/davids-song-of-deliverance","JAS/taming-the-tongue","PSA/psalm-91-you-are-my-refuge-and-my-fortress","ISA/a-song-of-salvation","ECC/wisdom-and-folly","ISA/the-wicked-and-the-servants","PSA/psalm-144-blessed-be-the-lord-my-rock","PSA/psalm-61-you-have-heard-my-vows","JHN/no-greater-love","2PE/deliverance-from-false-prophets","ECC/enjoy-your-portion-in-this-life","ROM/israel-in-the-present","TIT/pauls-greeting-to-titus-appointing-elders-on-crete-correcting-false-teachers","GEN/jacob-wrestles-with-god","1CO/the-marriage-covenant","GEN/the-covenant-of-circumcision","2CO/paul-and-the-false-apostles","REV/opening","GEN/adam-and-eve-in-the-garden-of-eden","2CO/triumph-in-christ","MAT/the-birth-of-jesus","JHN/the-unbelief-of-the-jewish-leaders","ISA/unto-us-a-child-is-born","JAS/genuine-faith"] prevSlug: "PRO/better-a-dry-morsel-in-quietness" nextSlug: "PRO/the-man-of-integrity" --- He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires;he rebels against all sound judgment. A fool does not delight in understanding,but only in airing his opinions. With a wicked man comes contempt as well,and shame is accompanied by disgrace. The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters;the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. Showing partiality to the wicked is not good,nor is depriving the innocent of justice. A fool’s lips bring him strife,and his mouth invites a beating. A fool’s mouth is his ruin,and his lips are a snare to his soul. The words of a gossip are like choice morselsthat go down into the inmost being. Whoever is slothful in his workis brother to him who destroys. The name of the [LORD](/persons/god) is a strong tower;the righteous run to it and are safe. A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city;it is like a high wall in his imagination. Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud,but humility comes before honor. He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him. The spirit of a man can endure his sickness,but who can survive a broken spirit? The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge,and the ear of the wise seeks it out. A man’s gift opens doors for him,and brings him before great men. The first to state his case seems rightuntil another comes and cross-examines him. Casting the lot ends quarrelsand separates strong opponents. An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city,and disputes are like the bars of a castle. From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled;with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied. Life and death are in the power of the tongue,and those who love it will eat its fruit. He who finds a wife finds a good thingand obtains favor from the LORD. The poor man pleads for mercy,but the rich man answers harshly. A man of many companions may come to ruin,but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.

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