Proverbs 26

¹As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool. ²As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, so the curse that is causeless lighteth not. ³A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the back of fools. ⁴Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. ⁵Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. ⁶He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off his ownfeet, anddrinketh in damage. ⁷The legs of the lame hang loose: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. ⁸As a bag of gems in a heap of stones, so is he that giveth honour to a fool. ⁹Asa thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the month of fools. ¹⁰Asan archer that woundeth all, so is he that hireth the fool and he that hireth them that pass by. ¹¹As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so isa fool that repeateth his folly. ¹²Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him. ¹³The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. ¹⁴Asthe door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the sluggard upon his bed. ¹⁵The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; it wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth. ¹⁶The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason. ¹⁷He that passeth by, andvexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, is likeone that taketh a dog by the ears. ¹⁸As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death; ¹⁹So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport? ²⁰For lack of wood the fire goeth out: and where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth. ²¹Ascoals are to hot embers, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to inflame strife. ²²The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. ²³Fervent lips and a wicked heart are likean earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross. ²⁴He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him: ²⁵When he speaketh fair, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart: ²⁶Though hishatred cover itself with guile, his wickedness shall be openly shewed before the congregation. ²⁷Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him. ²⁸A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.