Proverbs 14

Emotional honesty: "the heart knows its own bitterness," "even in laughter the heart may ache." Proverbs doesn't pretend joy is always on the surface. There are warnings about the way that "seems right" and ends in death (repeated in 16:25), patience, and envy rotting the bones. Then comes a theological claim about the poor: oppressing them insults their Maker, and kindness to them honors Him.

"Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him." (Proverbs 14:31)

"A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy rots the bones." (Proverbs 14:30)

Versions/Hebrew: "A tranquil heart" in 14:30 is lev marpe [4832], literally "a heart of healing" (KJV "a sound heart"). The same word marpe appears in 12:18 ("the tongue of the wise brings healing") and 15:4 ("a soothing tongue").