Proverbs 26

¹ As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.

² As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, so the curse that is causeless lighteth not.

³ A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the back of fools.

⁴ Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

⁵ Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

⁶ He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh in damage.

⁷ The legs of the lame hang loose: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

⁸ As a bag of gems in a heap of stones, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

⁹ As a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the month of fools.

¹⁰ As an archer that woundeth all, so is he that hireth the fool and he that hireth them that pass by.

¹¹ As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is a fool that repeateth his folly.

¹² Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

¹³ The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

¹⁴ As the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the sluggard upon his bed.

¹⁵ The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; it wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.

¹⁶ The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

¹⁷ He that passeth by, and vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

¹⁸ As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death;

¹⁹ So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

²⁰ For lack of wood the fire goeth out: and where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.

²¹ As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to inflame strife.

²² The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

²³ Fervent lips and a wicked heart are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.

²⁴ He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him:

²⁵ When he speaketh fair, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart:

²⁶ Though his hatred cover itself with guile, his wickedness shall be openly shewed before the congregation.

²⁷ Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.

²⁸ A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.