Timeless wisdom

A sterling reputation is better than striking it rich; a gracious spirit is better than money in the bank. The payoff for meekness and Fear-of-God is plenty and honor and a satisfying life. Point your kids in the right direction-when they're old they won't be lost. Generous hands are blessed hands because they give bread to the poor. God loves the pure-hearted and well-spoken; good leaders also delight in their friendship. God guards knowledge with a passion, but he'll have nothing to do with deception. The mouth of a whore is a bottomless pit; you'll fall in that pit if you're on the outs with God. Exploit the poor or glad-hand the rich-whichever, you'll end up the poorer for it. The Thirty Precepts of the Sages Don't Move Back the Boundary Lines Don't gamble on the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, hocking your house against a lucky chance. Observe people who are good at their work-skilled workers are always in demand and admired; they don't take a back seat to anyone. (Proverbs 22:1, 4, 6, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 26, 29 MSG)