Proverbs 18:1-9

Loners who care only for themselves spit on the common good. Fools care nothing for thoughtful discourse; all they do is run off at the mouth. When wickedness arrives, shame’s not far behind; contempt for life is contemptible. Many words rush along like rivers in flood, but deep wisdom flows up from artesian springs. It’s not right to go easy on the guilty, or come down hard on the innocent. The words of a fool start fights; do him a favor and gag him. Fools are undone by their big mouths; their souls are crushed by their words. Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy; do you really want junk like that in your belly? Slack habits and sloppy work are as bad as vandalism.