The Bible — World English Bible
Proverbs 17
In brief
Proverbs 17 touches on the life of relationships: family, friendship, justice and words. It opens on the value of peace, which is better than a house full of strife, and recalls that God alone tests hearts. The chapter speaks of a fault covered by love, of a quarrel best avoided from the start, of the friend who loves at all times, of the cheerful heart as medicine and of restraint in speech. It ends with a sharp remark: even a fool who keeps silent is thought wise.
The chapter in 4 parts
1Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.
2A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.
3The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but Yahweh tests the hearts.
4An evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
5Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
6Children’s children are the crown of old men; the glory of children are their parents.
7Arrogant speech isn’t fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.
8A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever he turns, he prospers.
9He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.
10A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred lashes into a fool.
11An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
13Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.
15He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.
16Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?
17A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.
18A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor.
19He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.
20One who has a perverse heart doesn’t find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.
21He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.
22A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
23A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, to pervert the ways of justice.
24Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.
25A foolish son brings grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.
26Also to punish the righteous is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity.
27He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.
28Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
Key verses
Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.
Peace at home is better than abundance with strife. The verse shifts the question of happiness: what counts is the atmosphere, not the table.
The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.
Starting a quarrel is like opening a dam: once the water is let loose, you cannot control it. The advice is to withdraw before the dispute heats up.
A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.
True friendship is measured in misfortune: the friend loves at all times and proves a brother when all goes badly.
A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
The verse notes the link between inner joy and health. It describes a principle of life, without promising that a downcast spirit is always a fault.
He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding. Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
The one who holds back his words and keeps calm shows understanding. Silence is a form of wisdom.
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What the sermons say
Frequently asked questions about Proverbs 17
What does Proverbs 17:17 mean?
The verse says a friend loves at all times and in adversity shows himself a brother. True friendship does not depend on good times: it shows itself when you go through a trial. It invites you to be a faithful friend yourself, and to recognize those who already are, rather than judging them by their availability on easy days.
What does Proverbs 17:1 mean?
The verse affirms that a dry crust with peace is better than a house full of feasting with strife. It reminds us that wealth does not buy harmony. In a family or a team, the quality of relationships counts more than material comfort, and deserves the time we give it.
What does Proverbs 17:28 mean about the fool who keeps silent?
The verse notes that even a fool is thought wise when he keeps silent. It is an ironic and practical remark: speaking less avoids saying foolish things. It fits with verse 27, which links restraint in words with a calm spirit. The point is not to pretend, but to learn to weigh what you say.
Articles quoting Proverbs 17
World English Bible translation — public domain.