People who live with integrity avoid disaster, while those who choose wrong often attract trouble. The Hebrew word for "harm" is aven, meaning trouble or disaster. This proverb doesn't promise a pain-free life for good people, but it does say that living honestly protects you from many self-inflicted problems. It's a counterpoint to the idea that "nice guys finish last"—instead, it suggests that doing right leads to a safer, more stable life overall.

If you're weighing whether to cut corners or tell a lie to get ahead, consider the long-term cost. Living with integrity may not shield you from every hardship, but it keeps you from the kind of trouble that comes from your own choices. In the end, that's a kind of safety no shortcut can offer.