¹ A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. ² The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. ³ The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. ⁴ The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. ⁵ A fool spurns a parent`s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence. ⁶ The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings ruin. ⁷ The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright. ⁸ The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.