16 How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver. 17 The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life. 18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 16:16–18
Semantically similar passages
Proverbs 13:5–7
5 The righteous hate falsehood, but the wicked bring shame and disgrace. 6 Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness undermines the sinner. 7 One pretends to be rich, but has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
Proverbs 4:6–8
6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will guard you. 7 Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding. 8 Prize her, and she will exalt you; if you embrace her, she will honor you.
Proverbs 14:7–9
7 Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech. 8 The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them. 9 Fools mock the making of amends, but goodwill is found among the upright.
Proverbs 13:13–15
13 He who despises instruction will pay the penalty, but the one who respects a command will be rewarded. 14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning one from the snares of death. 15 Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the faithless is difficult.
Proverbs 15:32–33
32 He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. 33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
Ecclesiastes 9:17–18
17 The calm words of the wise are heeded over the shouts of a ruler among fools. 18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.
Proverbs 18:11–13
11 A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination. 12 Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. 13 He who answers a matter before he hears it— this is folly and disgrace to him.
Proverbs 8:10–12
10 Receive my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. 11 For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire compares with her. 12 I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.
Search the collection All books and codes Translations and sources