Proverbs 26

1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest,

So honour is not seemly for a fool.

2As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying,

So the curse causeless shall not come.

3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass,

And a rod for the fools’ back.

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 the feet, and drinketh damage.

7The legs of the lame are not equal:

So is a parable in the mouth of fools.

8As he that bindeth a stone in a sling,

So is he that giveth honour to a fool.

9As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard,

So is a parable in the mouth of fools.

10The great God that formed all things

Both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.

11As a dog returneth to his vomit,

So a fool returneth to his folly.

12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit?

There is more hope of a fool than of him.

13The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way;

A lion is in the streets.

14As the door turneth upon his hinges,

So doth the slothful upon his bed.

15The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom;

It grieveth 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, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him,

Is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

18As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,

19So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour,

And saith, Am not I in sport?

20Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out:

So where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

21As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire;

So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

22The words of a talebearer are as wounds,

And they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

23Burning lips and a wicked heart

Are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.

24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips,

And layeth up deceit within him;

25When he speaketh fair, believe him not:

For there are seven abominations in his heart.

26Whose hatred is covered by deceit,

His wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.

27Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein:

And he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.

28A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it;

And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.