Chapter 26

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

As the bird by wandering,² as the swallow by flying,² so the curse causeless shall not come.⁴

A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.

Answer⁴ not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like⁴ unto him.

Answer³ a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

He that sendeth⁶ a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off¹⁸ the feet, [and] drinketh⁶ damage.

The legs of the lame are not equal:¹ so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools.

As he that bindeth ^{6887 2} a stone in a sling, so [is] he that giveth⁶ honour to a fool.

[As] a thorn goeth up¹ into the hand of a drunkard, so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools.

The great [God] that formed³⁵ all [things] both rewardeth⁶ the fool, and rewardeth⁶ transgressors.⁶

As a dog returneth¹ to his vomit, [so] a fool returneth⁶ to his folly.

Seest¹ thou a man wise in his own conceit? [there is] more hope of a fool than of him.

The slothful [man] saith,¹ [There is] a lion in the way; a lion [is] in the streets.

[As] the door turneth¹¹ upon his hinges, so [doth] the slothful upon his bed.

The slothful hideth¹ his hand in [his] bosom; it grieveth⁸ him to bring it again⁵³ to his mouth.

The sluggard [is] wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render⁵⁶ a reason.

He that passeth by,⁶ [and] meddleth¹⁰² with strife [belonging] not to him, [is like] one that taketh⁵⁶ a dog by the ears.

As a mad¹¹⁹ [man] who casteth⁶ firebrands, arrows, and death,

So [is] the man [that] deceiveth¹⁴ his neighbour, and saith,¹ Am not I in sport?¹⁸

Where no wood is, [there] the fire goeth out:⁴ so where [there is] no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.⁴

[As] coals [are] to burning coals, and wood to fire; so [is] a contentious ⁴⁰⁶⁶ man to kindle⁴⁴ strife.

The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds,¹⁰² and they go down¹ into the innermost parts of the belly.

Burning⁵ lips and a wicked heart [are like] a potsherd covered³⁰ with silver dross.

He that hateth⁶ dissembleth¹¹ with his lips, and layeth up⁴ deceit within him;

When he speaketh fair,¹⁷ believe⁵⁵ him not: for [there are] seven abominations in his heart.

[Whose] hatred is covered¹⁰¹ by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed¹¹ before the [whole] congregation.

Whoso diggeth⁶ a pit shall fall⁴ therein: and he that rolleth⁶ a stone, it will return⁴ upon him.

A lying tongue hateth⁴ [those that are] afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh⁴ ruin.