17. “The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.” This is the constant aim and endeavor of upright men, the beaten path, as we may call it, in which they travel, to decline everything that is evil: and he who makes this his care, looking well to all his actions, that he doe nothing amiss, looks well to himself, and preserves his soul and body from destruction.
18. “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Insolent behavior is the forerunner of utter destruction: and when men lift up themselves in their own thoughts, and over-look all others with contempt, they are in the greatest danger to stumble; and not to see that which will give them such a grievous downfall, as will break them all to shivers.
22. “Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.” A clear understanding and right judgment of things, like an inexhaustible spring, gives perpetual comfort and satisfaction to him in whom it is; and makes him very usefull unto others: but the learning of fools is frivolous and vain; and therefore, if they undertake to instruct others, they onely make them like themselves.
28. “A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.” Others of them have such a perversness in their spirit, that it is their business to disturb the world, and raise dissentions among those that would live in peace; by backbiting, detracting, and whispering false stories: making a breach even between princes and people, husband and wife, nay, the dearest friends and familiars, if they hearken to their tales.
32. “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” He that can suppress the vehement motions of anger, deserves more praise than those mighty men who quell the enemies that oppose them; and he that hath power to govern all his own inclinations, affections and passions by reason, hath a nobler empire than he that subdues cities and countries by force of arms.