7 The soul that is full loathes honey, but to a hungry soul, any bitter thing is sweet. 8 Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who wanders from his home. 9 Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the sweetness of a friend is counsel to the soul.
Proverbs 27:7–9
Semantically similar passages
Proverbs 24:12–14
12 If you say, “Behold, we did not know about this,” does not He who weighs hearts consider it? Does not the One who guards your life know? Will He not repay a man according to his deeds? 13 Eat honey, my son, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to your taste.
Proverbs 16:23–25
23 The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips. 24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. 25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
Proverbs 14:9–11
9 Fools mock the making of amends, but goodwill is found among the upright. 10 The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares in its joy. 11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.
Proverbs 25:15–17
15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. 16 If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up. 17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he grow weary and hate you.
Sirach 40:19–21
19 Children and the building of a city establish a name. A blameless wife is better than both. (WEB) 20 Wine and music rejoice the heart. The love of wisdom is better than both. (WEB) 21 The pipe and the lute make pleasant melody. A pleasant tongue is better than both. (WEB)
Sirach 9:9–11
9 Don’t dine at all with a woman who has a husband, or revel with her at wine, lest perhaps your soul turn away to her, and with your spirit you slide into destruction. (WEB) 10 Don’t forsake an old friend; for a new one is not comparable to him. A new friend is like new… (WEB)
Proverbs 13:24–25
24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently. 25 A righteous man eats to his heart’s content, but the stomach of the wicked is empty.
Proverbs 9:16–18
16 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment. 17 “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is tasty!” 18 But they do not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
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