What does Proverbs Chapter 14 say, and which statements belong to its speaker?

Atlas of Saints · Chapter summary

Opening sayings preserve their words and attribution. Images and reported speech remain distinct from added interpretation. Future and conditional assertions retain their scope in the closing sayings.

Chapter breakdown

Proverbs 14 contrasts a wise woman building with foolish hands pulling down. The right-way God-fearer is despised by infamous-way walker; fool mouth has pride’s rod, wise lips preserve. Empty crib accompanies no oxen, corn shows ox strength. Faithful witness does not lie, deceitful does; scorner finds no wisdom, wise learning easy. Go against fool, lacking prudent lips; discreet wisdom understands way, foolish imprudence errs. Fool laughs at sin, just grace abides. Heart knows own bitterness and stranger shall not intermeddle with joy. Wicked house shall perish, just tabernacles flourish; seemingly just way ends deathward. Laughter shall mingle sorrow, mourning take joy’s end; fool filled with own ways and good man above.

Innocent believes every word, discreet considers steps; deceitful son gains no good, wise servant shall prosper and way straighten. Wise fears and avoids evil, fool leaps confidently. Impatient shall work folly, crafty is hateful. Childish shall own folly, prudent seek knowledge. Evil shall bow before good and wicked before just gates. Poor shall be hateful even to neighbor, rich have many friends; neighbor contempt sins, poor mercy shall be blessed and Lord-believer loves mercy. Evil workers err, mercy and truth prepare good. Much work shall bring abundance, many words often want. Wise crown is riches, fools’ folly imprudence. Faithful witness delivers souls, double dealer lies.

Lord’s fear has strength confidence and children’s hope, a life fountain avoiding death’s ruin. Many people dignify king, few dishonor prince. Patient is wisdom-governed, impatient exalts folly. Sound heart is flesh’s life, envy bone rottenness. Poor oppression upbraids maker, pity honors Him. Wicked shall be driven out, just has death hope; prudent heart’s resting wisdom shall instruct ignorant. Justice exalts nation, sin makes nations miserable. Wise servant acceptable to king, worthless shall feel anger. Images do not become medical guarantees or an invented court event.

The story inside

Opening: Opening sayings preserve their words and attribution. Development: Images and reported speech remain distinct from added interpretation. Conclusion: Future and conditional assertions retain their scope in the closing sayings.

Lessons worth keeping

1
Opening sayings preserve their words and attribution.
2
Images and reported speech remain distinct from added interpretation.
3
Future and conditional assertions retain their scope in the closing sayings.

Test your recall

Which images and requests does the speaker use, and what does the chapter leave unresolved?

Source edition and notes

Douay–Rheims, revised by Richard Challoner (1749–1752). Project Gutenberg no. 1581. Locators refer to lines in the admitted pg1581.txt edition. Source notes may include Challoner commentary.

Lines 68381–68382
14:12. There is a way which seemeth just to a man: but the ends thereof lead to death.
Lines 68424–68428
uttereth lies. 14:26. In the fear of the Lord is confidence of strength, and there shall be hope for his children.
Lines 68439–68441
rottenness of the bones. 14:31. He that oppresseth the poor, upbraideth his maker: but he that