1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise. 2 The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life.
Proverbs 20:1–2
Semantically similar passages
Proverbs 16:13–15
13 Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved. 14 The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it. 15 When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
Proverbs 19:11–13
11 A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense. 12 A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass. 13 A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.
Sirach 31:24–26
24 The city will murmur at him who is a stingy with his food. The testimony of his stinginess will be accurate. (WEB) 25 Don’t show yourself valiant in wine, for wine has destroyed many. (WEB) 26 The furnace tests the temper of steel by dipping; so does wine test hearts in the quar… (WEB)
Sirach 31:29–31
29 Wine drunk excessively is bitterness of soul, with provocation and conflict. (WEB) 30 Drunkenness increases the rage of a fool to his hurt. It diminishes strength and adds wounds. (WEB) 31 Don’t rebuke your neighbor at a banquet of wine. Don’t despise him in his mirth. Don’t spe… (WEB)
Proverbs 28:14–16
14 Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble. 15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people. 16 A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor, but he who hates dishonest profit…
Proverbs 18:5–7
5 Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice. 6 A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating. 7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
Proverbs 31:3–5
3 Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings. 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink, 5 lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice.
Proverbs 14:2–4
2 He who walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him. 3 The proud speech of a fool brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them. 4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest co…
Search the collection All books and codes Translations and sources