Proverbs Morality and Ethics Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter:Verse)

Quote #1

"[…] [M]y child, do not walk in their way, keep your foot from their paths; for their feet run to evil, and they hurry to shed blood. For in vain is the net baited while the bird is looking on; yet they lie in wait—to kill themselves! and set an ambush—for their own lives! Such is the end of all who are greedy for gain; it takes away the life of its possessors." (NRSV 1:15-19)

My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: for their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird. And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives. So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof. (KJV 1:15-19)

Wicked robbers who lie in wait to ambush and kill people are really waiting to ambush themselves—since their bad deeds are going to eventually be repaid, whether in this life or in the afterlife.

Quote #2

Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on. For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong; they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble. For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what they stumble over. (NRSV 4:14-19)

Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble. (KJV 4:14-19)

Since the righteous are grounded in the fear of God and in keeping God's commandments, they see their lives with increasing humility and clarity. But since the wicked have nothing on which to anchor their understanding of life, they're people wandering into ever deeper darkness.

Quote #3

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. (NRSV 10:11-12)

The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins. (KJV 10:11)

Love and the forgiveness of sins put an end to violence. Strife only creates more strife.