Chapter 26

 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour beseemeth not a fool. 

 As the sparrow for flitting about, as the swallow for flying, so a curse undeserved shall not come. 

 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 eyes. 

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

 The legs of the lame hang loose; so is a proverb in the mouth of fools. 

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

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

 A master roughly worketh every one: he both hireth the fool and hireth passers-by. 

 As a dog turneth back to its vomit, [so] a fool repeateth his folly. 

 Hast thou seen a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope of a fool than of him. 

 The sluggard saith, There is a fierce lion in the way; a lion is in the midst of the streets! 

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

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

 A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven [men] that answer discreetly. 

 He that passing by 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 a man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am I not in sport? 

 Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no talebearer, the contention ceaseth. 

 [As] coals for hot coals, and wood for fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife. 

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

 Ardent lips, and a wicked heart, are [as] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross. 

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

 when his voice is gracious, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart. 

 Though [his] hatred is covered by dissimulation, his wickedness shall be made manifest in the congregation. 

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

 A lying tongue hateth those that are injured by it, and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.