How we cite our quotes: (Chapter:Verse)
Quote #1
Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, would have none of my counsel, and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way and be sated with their own devices. For waywardness kills the simple, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but those who listen to me will be secure and will live at ease, without dread of disaster. (NRSV 1:29-33)
For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord: they would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil. (KJV 1:29-33)
Foolishness is the root of all destructive acts in human life—they all spring out of that kind of un-grounded, rootless way of thinking and behaving.
Quote #2
The foolish woman is loud; she is ignorant and knows nothing. She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the high places of the town, calling to those who pass by, who are going straight on their way, "You who are simple, turn in here!" And to those without sense she says, "Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant." But they do not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol. (NRSV 9:13-18)
A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing. For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, to call passengers who go right on their ways: whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell. (KJV 9:13-18)
Even though the foolish woman doesn't know anything, she's really loud. This is a general tendency with fools—they compensate for their lack of ideas by babbling a lot. Also, "bread eaten in secret" is stolen bread—which is why someone eats it… in secret.
Quote #3
On the lips of one who has understanding wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of one who lacks sense. The wise lay up knowledge, but the babbling of a fool brings ruin near. (NRSV 10:13-14)
In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding. Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction. (KJV 10:13-14)
This is a typical attack on fools and their tendency to babble. While the wise quietly accumulate wisdom, fools accumulate nothing of worth, but continue to prattle on.