Chapter 26

As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not seemly for a fool.

As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, So the curse that is causeless alighteth not.

A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the back of fools.

Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also be like unto him.

Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit.

He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool Cutteth off [his own] feet, [and] drinketh in damage.

The legs of the lame hang loose: So is a parable in the mouth of fools.

As one that bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool.

[As] a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools.

[As] an archer that woundeth all, So is he that hireth a fool and he that hireth them that pass by.

As a dog that returneth to his vomit, [So is] a fool that repeateth his folly.

Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.

The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way; A lion is in the streets.

[As] the door turneth upon its hinges, So doth the sluggard upon his bed.

The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; It wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.

The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit Than seven men that can render a reason.

He that passeth by, [and] vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, Is [like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.

As a madman who casteth firebrands, Arrows, and death,

So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, Am not I in sport?

For lack of wood the fire goeth out; And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.

[As] coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to inflame strife.

The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.

Fervent lips and a wicked heart Are [like] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.

He that hateth dissembleth with his lips; But he layeth up deceit within him:

When he speaketh fair, believe him not; For there are seven abominations in his heart:

Though [his] hatred cover itself with guile, His wickedness shall be openly showed before the assembly.

Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.

A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded; And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.