How we cite our quotes: (Chapter:Verse)
Quote #10
Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. (NRSV 20:1)
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. (KJV 20:1)
Drinking too much can make you act quite foolishly, indeed.
Quote #11
Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to desist. When your eyes light upon it, it is gone; for suddenly it takes wings to itself, flying like an eagle toward heaven. (NRSV 23:4-5)
Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. (KJV 23:4-5)
Proverbs advises: don't waste your life concentrating only on accumulating wealth. If you happen to get rich, fine—but these material things are so ephemeral it's hard to guarantee happiness from them. Just focus on living your life.
Quote #12
Like vinegar on a wound is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. Like a moth in clothing or a worm in wood, sorrow gnaws at the human heart. (NRSV 25:20)
As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart. (KJV 25:20)
Sad songs may say so much. Still, songs don't bring relief to a sad heart. Actually, we're not sure if the authors mean sad songs specifically, or maybe all songs. Maybe they mean that happy songs will also tend to deepen your depression because, by contrast, they make you more conscious of how sad you actually are. True sorrow is persistent and extremely hard to escape. Even if you listen to Elton John.