17
As a clue to changes of heart
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four turns of fortune appear, good and evil, life and death; and it is the tongue that continually rules them.
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A man may be shrewd and the teacher of many, and yet be unprofitable to himself.
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A man skilled in words may be hated; he will be destitute of all food,
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for grace was not given him by the Lord, since he is lacking in all wisdom.
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A man may be wise to his own advantage, and the fruits of his understanding may be trustworthy on his lips.
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A wise man will instruct his own people, and the fruits of his understanding will be trustworthy.
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A wise man will have praise heaped upon him, and all who see him will call him happy.
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The life of a man is numbered by days, but the days of Israel are without number.
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He who is wise among his people will inherit confidence, and his name will live for ever.
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My son, test your soul while you live; see what is bad for it and do not give it that.