The book of Proverbs practically invented the mirrored sentence: pride before the fall, the fool and the wise, the tongue that kills and heals. The lines below are modern reflections in that tradition — each inspired by a proverb and marked with its reference. They are not Bible translations and are no substitute for one; they are doorways. Read the line, then go read the verse.
Pride walks in and wisdom walks out; humility walks in and wisdom comes home.
Harsh words turn sparks into fires; gentle words turn fires back into sparks.
Pride does not fall because it is weak; pride falls because it thinks it cannot fall.
The righteous do not rise because they never fall; they rise because falling never gets the final word.
Love covers an offense instead of repeating it; repeating an offense uncovers the love.
A gossip exposes what should be covered; a trustworthy person covers what should be protected.
Walk with the wise and wisdom starts walking with you; walk with fools and foolishness starts walking into you.
A fool vents every feeling; a wise person rules feelings before feelings rule him.
A fool hates correction because he loves comfort; a wise person loves correction because he hates staying foolish.
Answering before listening is not confidence; it is foolishness wearing confidence's clothes.
Reckless words cut people open; wise words open people up to healing.
Let another person praise you; praise loses weight when you have to carry it yourself.
A friend's wound can heal you; an enemy's kiss can hide the knife.
The wicked run when no one is chasing; the righteous stand even when pressure is coming.
The wise see danger and step aside; the foolish keep walking and then wonder why it hurt.
Where gossip runs out, conflict runs out; where whispers stop, fires stop.
Lazy hands make poverty easier; diligent hands make poverty harder to keep.
Faithfulness builds blessing slowly; chasing quick riches builds trouble quickly.
Money cannot rescue a soul in the day that matters most; righteousness reaches where riches cannot.
The one who rules his spirit is stronger than the one who takes a city.
Charm can lie and beauty can fade; a life that fears the Lord carries beauty time cannot steal.
Anxiety weighs the heart down; a good word can help the heart stand back up.
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