Proverbs 17:9
17:9 He who covers over an offense promotes love [cf. Prov. 10:12; Eph. 4:15; 1 Cor. 13:5; 1 Pet. 4:8], but whoever [such as a gossip] repeats the matter separates close friends.

Proverbs 17:14

17:14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching [a small breach will eventually create a flood] a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute [a legal conflict] breaks out.

Proverbs 17:17-19
17:17 A friend [can refer to a neighbor, associate, companion] loves [this is the heart of being a friend; cf. Jn. 15:13; unconditional love] at all times [such as adversity or prosperity, sickness or health, good news or bad news, optimism or pessimism], and a brother [a true friend is like a true brother] is born [meaning, “to come to the surface” or “appear”] for adversity [difficult times prove the identity of true friends; cf. 2 Tim. 4:16 re: Paul’s experience].

17:18 A man lacking in judgment [one without sense; lacking heart or thinking] strikes hands in pledge [enters an agreement] and puts up security for [or, in the presence of] his neighbor [there is danger in cosigning a note].

17:19 He who loves [has a constant desire for] a quarrel loves sin; he who builds a high gate [threshold; possibly refers to one who prefers to remain isolated from others] invites destruction.

Proverbs 17:22
17:22 A cheerful [joyful; glad; rooted in gratitude rather than circumstances] heart [the inner life; the control center of thoughts, emotions, and will] is good medicine [brings healing, strength, vitality; contributes to physical, emotional, and relational health], but a crushed [broken; discouraged; weighed down; defeated] spirit [inner resolve; courage; emotional core] dries up the bones [saps strength; weakens vitality; leads to depletion and decline].