Articles in the series Ancient Wisdom for a Modern World

The words of a talebearer are as wounds [dainty morsels], and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly

For him that is joined to all living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.

I have escaped by the skin of my teeth.

Better a dinner of herbs where love is than a stalled ox and hatred therewith

He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it,

Let another man praise thee and not thine own mouth; a stranger and not thine own lips

Favour is deceitful and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the Lord is greatly to be praised.

As a door turns upon its hinges, so does a sluggard upon his bed

Can a man take fire unto his bosom and not be burned?

‘If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty give him water to drink. For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee'

A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievou words stir up anger

Whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also, Matt. 5. 39

Pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall