The crooked heart will not prosper; the lying tongue tumbles into trouble. It is painful to be a parent of a fool; there is no joy for the father of a rebel. A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength. The wicked take secret bribes to pervert the course of justice. Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom; but a fool’s eyes wanders to the ends of the earth. Foolish children bring brief to their father and bitterness to the one who gave them birth. It is wrong to punish the godly for being good or flog leaders for being honest. A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent. (vv. 20-28, NLT)