18 As a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool. The knowledge of an unwise man is talk without sense. (WEB) 19 Instruction is as fetters on the feet of an unwise man, and as manacles on the right hand. (WEB) 20 A fool lifts up his voice with laughter, but a clever man smiles quietly. (WEB)
Sirach 21:18–20
Semantically similar passages
Proverbs 12:22–24
22 Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight. 23 A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly. 24 The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
Proverbs 10:13–15
13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment. 14 The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of the fool invites destruction. 15 The wealth of the rich man is his fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor.
Proverbs 24:6–8
6 Only with sound guidance should you wage war, and victory lies in a multitude of counselors. 7 Wisdom is too high for a fool; he does not open his mouth in the meeting place. 8 He who plots evil will be called a schemer.
Sirach 21:13–15
13 The knowledge of a wise man will be made to abound as a flood, and his counsel as a fountain of life. (WEB) 14 The inward parts of a fool are like a broken vessel. He will hold no knowledge. (WEB) 15 If a man of knowledge hears a wise word, he will commend it and add to it. The… (WEB)
Proverbs 15:1–3
1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly. 3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.
Proverbs 23:8–10
8 You will vomit up what little you have eaten and waste your pleasant words. 9 Do not speak to a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words. 10 Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,
Proverbs 15:13–15
13 A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit. 14 A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. 15 All the days of the oppressed are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
Sirach 21:25–27
25 The lips of strangers will be grieved at these things, but the words of prudent men will be weighed in the balance. (WEB) 26 The heart of fools is in their mouth, but the mouth of wise men is their heart. (WEB) 27 When the ungodly curses an adversary, he curses his own soul. (WEB)
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