
Proverbs 18:1-24
18:2 | The fool has two habits that get him or her in trouble: closing the mind while opening the mouth. Instead of being receptive to other points of view, the foolish person wants to share only one perspective, that of his or her own heart. The result is self-inflicted harm.
18:8 | The sage likens gossip to tasty trifles. Just as fine morsels of food are hard to resist, gossip is easy to partake of, but once taken in, it penetrates to one’s inmost being - and always to the listener’s detriment.
18:10-11 | Wealth does provide a measure of security, but one may falsely imagine it a strong wall or higher safeguard against calamity than it really is. The name of the Lord is where true strength and protection are found (2 Sam. 22:2-3; Ps. 18:2; 61:3; 91:2; 144:2).
18:16 | Gift can mean an innocent courtesy or something given to get a desired result. This verse does not sanction the use of bribes to gain favor or access.
18:20-21 | These statements together illustrate the power of words. What a person says will often return to him or her in some way, either adding to his or her life or subracting from it. Our speech has consequences.
18:24 | The phrase must himself be friendly may also be translated “may come to ruin,” meaning that a person with numerous friends may find himself or herself in trouble. Having one true friend is much better than having many apparent friends (17:17).