The Book of Proverbs in the Bible is said to have been written by King Solomon, a wise Israelite king and the son of David. According to Biblical history, Solomon came up with over 3000 proverbs and wrote nearly 1000 songs and people from around the world traveled to his court to hear his wisdom. Scholars tell us that some of the “wise sayings” in this book of the Bible are interpretations of older proverbs from Egyptian and Assyrian sources. Although we will never be able to resolve the arguments about who wrote these proverbs, they have inspired people for thousands of years. Biblical proverbs are considered to be among the most insightful and intelligent examples of ancient wisdom in the world.
Here are the most popular of Solomon’s proverbs — wise words to live by.
Proverbs about Money
“Wealth is useless on the day of wrath, but virtue saves from death.” — Proverbs 11:4
“Better a lowly man who supports himself than one of assumed importance who lacks bread.” — Proverbs 12:9
“One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.” — Proverbs 13:7
“Wealth quickly gotten dwindles away, but amassed little by little, it grows.” — Proverbs 13:11
“Even by his neighbor the poor man is hated, but the friends of the rich are many.” — Proverbs 14:20
“He who oppresses the poor blasphemes his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy glorifies him.” — Proverbs 14:31
“If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.” — Proverbs 21:13
“He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished,” — Proverbs 17:5
Proverbs about Adversity
“The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.” — Proverbs 11:8
“The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.” — Proverbs 17:3
“A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” — Proverbs 17:17
“The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?” — Proverbs 18:14
“If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?” — Proverbs 24:10
“Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother’s house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.” — Proverbs 27:10
Proverbs about Good and Evil
“Truly the evil man shall not go unpunished, but those who are just shall escape.” — Proverbs 11:21
“He who seeks the good commands favor, but he who pursues evil will have evil befall him.” — Proverbs 11:27
“The king favors the intelligent servant, but the worthless one incurs his wrath.” — Proverbs 14:35
“All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.” — Proverbs 15:15
Proverbs about Self
“When pride comes, disgrace comes; but with the humble is wisdom.” — Proverbs 11:2
“With his mouth the impious man woudl ruin his neighbor, but through their knowledge the just make their escape.” — Proverbs 11:9
“A newsmonger revealss secrets, but a trustworthy man keeps a confidence.” — Proverbs 11:13
“He who loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.” — Proverbs 12:1
“A worthy wife is the crown of her husband, but a disgraceful one is like rot in his bones.” — Proverbs 12:4
“The plans of the just are legitimate; the designs of the wicked are deceitful.” — Proverbs 12:5
Proverbs about Faith
“The virtue of the upright saves them, but the faithless are caught in their own intrigue.” — Proverbs 11:6
“A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.” — Proverbs 13:17
“A man that wanders from his home is like a bird that wanders from her nest.” — Proverbs 27:8
“Whoever plants a fig tree shall eat its fruit — so the person that puts faith in God will be honored.” — Proverbs 27:18
“The king that honors the poor — his throne shall be established for ever.” — Proverbs 29:14