“Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it
Than a house full of feasting with strife.
A servant who acts wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully,
And will share in the inheritance among brothers.”

“The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,
But the Lord tests hearts.
An evildoer listens to wicked lips;
A liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.”

“One who mocks the poor taunts his Maker;
One who rejoices at disaster will not go unpunished.
Grandchildren are the crown of old men,
And the glory of sons is their fathers.”

“Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool,
Much less are lying lips for a ruler.
A bribe is a charm in the eyes of its owner;
Wherever he turns, he prospers.”

“One who conceals an offense seeks love,
But one who repeats a matter separates close friends.
A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding
Than a hundred blows into a fool.”

“A rebellious person seeks only evil,
So a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
Let a person meet a bear robbed of her cubs,
Rather than a fool in his foolishness.”

“One who returns evil for good,
Evil will not depart from his house.
The beginning of strife is like letting out water,
So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.”

“One who justifies the wicked and one who condemns the righteous,
Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.
Why is there payment in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom,
When he has no sense?”

“A friend loves at all times,
And a brother is born for adversity.
A person lacking in sense shakes hands in a pledge
And becomes guarantor in the presence of his neighbor.”

“One who loves wrongdoing loves strife;
One who makes his doorway high seeks destruction.
One who has a crooked mind finds no good,
And one who is perverted in his language falls into evil.”

“He who fathers a fool does so to his sorrow,
And the father of a fool has no joy.
A joyful heart is good medicine,
But a broken spirit dries up the bones.”

“A wicked person accepts a bribe from an inside pocket
To pervert the ways of justice.
Wisdom is in the presence of one who has understanding,
But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.”

“A foolish son is grief to his father
And bitterness to her who gave birth to him.
It is also not good to fine the righteous,
Nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.”

“One who restrains his words has knowledge,
And one who has a cool spirit is a person of understanding.
Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise;
When he closes his lips, he is considered discerning.”

---

Context and Meaning

Proverbs 17 focuses on wisdom in community and relationships — how to preserve peace, protect friendship, and restrain anger.
It shows that wisdom isn’t loud or flashy — it’s quiet, humble, and deeply rooted in love.

Solomon’s counsel here is practical:
Wisdom seeks peace over pride, reconciliation over revenge, and silence over self-defense.
It is the kind of wisdom that transforms homes, friendships, and even nations.

Key Themes:

1. Peace Over Prosperity: Quiet righteousness is better than noisy abundance (v. 1).
2. The Testing of Hearts: God refines character like gold in the furnace (v. 3).
3. Guarding the Tongue: Words can destroy friendships or preserve love (v. 9, 14, 27–28).
4. True Friendship: Genuine love endures adversity (v. 17).
5. Joy and Healing: A cheerful heart brings strength, but bitterness brings decay (v. 22).
6. Justice and Integrity: The Lord detests corruption and partiality (v. 15, 23).
7. Wisdom in Restraint: Silence often speaks louder than pride (v. 27–28).

Reflection and Impact

Proverbs 17 teaches that wisdom often works quietly — through kindness, restraint, and understanding.
It values peace over pride and reconciliation over reaction.

• Peace surpasses plenty – “Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it” (v. 1) reflects Philippians 4:7: the peace of God surpasses all understanding.
• God refines hearts – “The Lord tests hearts” (v. 3) mirrors Psalm 26:2: test me, O Lord, and try me; examine my heart and mind.
• Love covers wrongs – “He who conceals an offense seeks love” (v. 9) echoes 1 Peter 4:8: love covers a multitude of sins.
• True friendship endures adversity – “A friend loves at all times” (v. 17) parallels John 15:13: greater love has no one than this, to lay down one’s life for friends.
• Joy heals the heart – “A joyful heart is good medicine” (v. 22) connects with Nehemiah 8:10: the joy of the Lord is your strength.
• Silence reveals wisdom – “Even a fool… when he keeps silent, is considered wise” (v. 28) ties to James 1:19: be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.

Application

• Value Peace: Choose quiet righteousness over loud success.
• Guard Your Heart: Let God refine your motives.
• Cover in Love: Seek reconciliation instead of retaliation.
• Cherish Friendship: Be loyal in times of trouble, not just triumph.
• Rejoice in the Lord: Let joy be your medicine and strength.
• Hold Your Tongue: Speak less, listen more, and reflect before responding.

Closing Thought

Wisdom doesn’t always shout; it often whispers.
It is seen in gentle restraint, gracious silence, and loyal love.
Proverbs 17 reminds us that peace, joy, and friendship are treasures of the humble heart that trusts God’s refining fire.

“A joyful heart is good medicine,
But a broken spirit dries up the bones.”