"A lying tongue hates those it hurts,
and a flattering mouth works ruin."
Proverbs 26:28
Others' Opinion
Leaders value those who speak the truth.
"Kings take pleasure in honest lips;
they value a man who speaks the truth."
Proverbs 16:13
Most people will appreciate truth in the end more than flattery.
"He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor
than he who has a flattering tongue."
Proverbs 28:23
Quality of Life
The righteous person's plans are just.
"The plans of the righteous are just,
but the advice of the wicked is deceitful."
Proverbs 12:5
Truthful witnesses do not deceive; false witnesses pour out lies.
"A truthful witness does not deceive,
but a false witness pours out lies."
Proverbs 14:5
Truthful witnesses save lives.
"A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful."
Proverbs 14:25
The children of the righteous are blessed.
"The righteous man leads a blameless life;
blessed are his children after him."
Proverbs 20:7
Short-Term Results
Ill-gotten treasure is of no value.
"Ill-gotten treasures are of no value,
but righteousness delivers from death."
Proverbs 10:2
The righteous are rescued from trouble.
"The righteous man is rescued from trouble,
and it comes on the wicked instead."
Proverbs 11:8
The evil are trapped by sinful talk.
"An evil man is trapped by his sinful talk,
but a righteous man escapes trouble."
Proverbs 12:13
Fraudulent gain is sweet for a while.
"Food gained by fraud tastes sweet to a man,
but he ends up with a mouth full of gravel."
Proverbs 20:17
Long-Term Results
The upright are guided by integrity.
"The integrity of the upright guides them,
but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity."
Proverbs 11:3
Truthful lips endure.
"Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue lasts only a moment."
Proverbs 12:19
Riches gained quickly don't last.
"An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning
will not be blessed at the end."
Proverbs 20:21
Riches gained dishonestly don't last.
"A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting
vapor and a deadly snare."
Proverbs 21:6
The blameless are kept safe.
"He whose walk is blameless is kept safe,
but he whose ways are perverse will suddenly fall."
Proverbs 28:18
God's Opinion
God delights in honesty.
"The Lord abhors dishonest scales,
but accurate weights are his delight."
Proverbs 11:1
God delights in those who are truthful.
"The Lord detests lying lips,
but he delights in men who are truthful."
Proverbs 12:22
God detests unjust measures.
"Differing weights and differing measures--the Lord detests them both."
Proverbs 20:10
God is pleased when we do what is right and just.
"To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice."
Proverbs 21:3