Proverbs 18:1-8

1 Loners who care only for themselves spit on the common good.

2 Fools care nothing for thoughtful discourse; all they do is run off at the mouth.

3 When wickedness arrives, shame's not far behind; contempt for life is contemptible.

4 Many words rush along like rivers in flood, but deep wisdom flows up from artesian springs.

5 It's not right to go easy on the guilty, or come down hard on the innocent.

6 The words of a fool start fights; do him a favor and gag him.

7 Fools are undone by their big mouths; their souls are crushed by their words.

8 Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy; do you really want junk like that in your belly?