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Proverbs chapter 18

English Standard Version

1Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. 2A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. 3When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace. 4The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. 5It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice. 6A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. 7A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. 8The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. 9Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys. 10The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. 11A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination. 12Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. 13If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame. 14A man’s spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? 15An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. 16A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before the great. 17The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him. 18The lot puts an end to quarrels and decides between powerful contenders. 19A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle. 20From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips. 21Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. 22He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD. 23The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly. 24A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
New International Version

1An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.
2Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.
3When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes reproach.
4The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.
5It is not good to be partial to the wicked and so deprive the innocent of justice.
6The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating.
7The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives.
8The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
9One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.
10The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
11The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale.
12Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
13To answer before listening-- that is folly and shame.
14The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?
15The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.
16A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.
17In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.
18Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.
19A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city; disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.
20From the fruit of their mouth a person's stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.
21The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.
23The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
24One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
New American Standard Bible

1One who separates himself seeks his own desire; He quarrels against all sound wisdom. 2A fool does not delight in understanding, But in revealing his own mind. 3When a wicked person comes, contempt also comes, And with dishonor comes taunting. 4The words of a person’s mouth are deep waters; The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. 5To show partiality to the wicked is not good, Nor to suppress the righteous in judgment. 6A fool’s lips bring strife, And his mouth invites beatings. 7A fool’s mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul. 8The words of a gossiper are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body. 9He also who is lax in his work Is a brother to him who destroys. 10The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe. 11A rich person’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own imagination. 12Before destruction the heart of a person is haughty, But humility goes before honor. 13One who gives an answer before he hears, It is foolishness and shame to him. 14The spirit of a person can endure his sickness, But as for a broken spirit, who can endure it? 15The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. 16A person’s gift makes room for him And brings him before great people. 17The first to plead his case seems right, Until another comes and examines him. 18The cast lot puts an end to quarrels, And decides between the mighty ones. 19A brother who is offended is harder to be won than a strong city, And quarrels are like the bars of a citadel. 20With the fruit of a person’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied; He will be satisfied with the product of his lips. 21Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. 22He who finds a wife finds a good thing And obtains favor from the Lord. 23A poor person utters pleadings, But a rich person answers defiantly. 24A person of too many friends comes to ruin, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Christian Standard Bible

1One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound wisdom.
2A fool does not delight in understanding, but only wants to show off his opinions.
3When a wicked person comes, contempt also comes, and along with dishonor, derision.
4The words of a person's mouth are deep waters, a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom.
5It is not good to show partiality to the guilty, denying an innocent person justice.
6A fool's lips lead to strife, and his mouth provokes a beating.
7A fool's mouth is his devastation, and his lips are a trap for his life.
8A gossip's words are like choice food that goes down to one's innermost being.
9The one who is lazy in his work is brother to a vandal.
10The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected.
11The wealth of the rich is his fortified city; in his imagination it is like a high wall.
12Before his downfall a person's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
13The one who gives an answer before he listens -- this is foolishness and disgrace for him.
14A person's spirit can endure sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?
15The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it.
16A person's gift opens doors for him and brings him before the great.
17The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
18Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates powerful opponents.
19An offended brother is harder to reach than a fortified city, and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress.
20From the fruit of a person's mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is filled with the product of his lips.
21Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22A man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.
23The poor person pleads, but the rich one answers roughly.
24One with many friends may be harmed, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.
New Living Translation

1Unfriendly people care only about themselves; they lash out at common sense.
2Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.
3Doing wrong leads to disgrace, and scandalous behavior brings contempt.
4Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook.
5It is not right to acquit the guilty or deny justice to the innocent.
6Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating.
7The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips.
8Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart.
9A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things.
10The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.
11The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense; they imagine it to be a high wall of safety.
12Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor.
13Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.
14The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit?
15Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.
16Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people!
17The first to speak in court sounds right — until the cross-examination begins.
18Flipping a coin can end arguments; it settles disputes between powerful opponents.
19An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.
20Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction.
21The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
22The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord.
23The poor plead for mercy; the rich answer with insults.
24There are 'friends' who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.
King James Version

1Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
2A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
3When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
4The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
5It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. 7A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
10The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
11The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
12Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
13He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
14The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
15The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
17He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
18The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
19A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
21Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
23The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
24A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

What does Proverbs chapter 18 mean?

The first nine statements of this passage mostly revolve around the need for discernment in judgment and speech. A person who refuses to seek additional wisdom from others is fighting against truth. This is connected to the modern concept of the "echo chamber" and the person who is only interested in justifying their own views. A characteristic of foolishness is the inability to control one's speech. This can lead to a damaged reputation, or even physical violence from someone who's been offended. Solomon also stresses the importance of fairness in matters of justice, the dangers of laziness, and the insidious nature of gossip (Proverbs 18:1–9).

Humility and a sincere search for truth are common themes in the next several proverbs. God's "name," meaning His character, nature, and promises, is compared to a place of safety. In contrast, people often fool themselves into thinking that money or their own ability are reliable foundations. Not only should a person be humble in their personal life, but they should apply the same attitude towards matters of judgment. Many claims sound convincing, at first, only to fall apart under scrutiny. A wiser person tries to find out more information, rather than arrogantly jumping to conclusions. This passage also includes a remark about the supreme importance of hope. A person can get through almost any hardship, but once someone loses hope, they are truly crushed and defeated (Proverbs 18:10–15).

The last segment of this chapter gives observations about perception and relationships. Wealth can make others more receptive, and unfortunately often lets a person "get away" with being rude or entitled. Solomon provides warnings about undue conflict. He notes the enhanced bitterness which comes when close friends and family have a "falling out." Several proverbs mention objectivity and the need to carefully guard one's speech. An especially famous phrase at the end of this chapter notes that true friends can be more loyal than even one's own family (Proverbs 18:16–24).
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