Lessons for Living from Proverbs 15

1. Stay Happy & Cheerful
v13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.
v15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.
v30 A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.

2. Seek Wisdom
v14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
v20 A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.
v21 Folly delights a man who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding keeps a straight course.
v24 The path of life leads upward for the wise to keep him from going down to the grave.
v33 The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

3. Be Contented
v16 Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil.
v27 A greedy man brings trouble to his family, but he who hates bribes will live.

4. Love Thy Neighbour (which is, everyone around you!)
v17 Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred.
v18 A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel.
v23 A man finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!

5. Be Diligent!
v19 The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.

6. Be Teach-able
v22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
v31 He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.
v32 He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.

7. Be Humble
v25 The LORD tears down the proud man's house but he keeps the widow's boundaries intact.
v33 The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

8. Pursue Righteousness
v26 The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but those of the pure are pleasing to him.
v28 The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
v29 The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous.