The Book of Proverbs is the greatest collection of wisdom literature in human history. No self-help or personal development book can possibly top the collection of wise sayings contained in the biblical book we know as Proverbs.
While I strongly recommend you read and study the entire book of Proverbs on a regular basis, these 21 proverbs are – at least in my opinion – wisdom sayings you can’t live without.
The more you follow the wisdom in these 21 passages from the book of Proverbs, the better your life will be.
A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.
-Proverbs 1:5
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
-Proverbs 1:7
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
-Proverbs 3:5-6
Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
-Proverbs 3:27
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
-Proverbs 4:7
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
-Proverbs 4:23
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
-Proverbs 9:10
He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
-Proverbs 10:4
The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
-Proverbs 10:11
Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
-Proverbs 10:12
Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
-Proverbs 10:14
In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
-Proverbs 10:19
When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
-Proverbs 11:2
A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
-Proverbs 11:13
Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
-Proverbs 11:14
The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
-Proverbs 11:23
He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.
-Proverbs 11:29
Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
-Proverbs 12:1
Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight.
-Proverbs 12:22
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
-Proverbs 13:20
In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
-Proverbs 14:26
The above proverbs are all provided in the classic King James Version. I encourage you to read them in multiple English translations and to a Hebrew word study on some of the key terms in each proverb.
Most importantly, prayerfully meditate on each proverb, and ask God how He wants you to apply them to your life.
God bless you.
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