The Proverbs

26: 1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest,

 So honor is not seemly for a fool.

 ^26:2As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying,

 So the curse that is causeless alighteth not.

 ^26:3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass,

 And a rod for the back of fools.

 ^26:4Answer not a fool according to his folly,

 Lest thou also be like unto him.

 ^26:5Answer a fool according to his folly,

 Lest he be wise in his own conceit.

 ^26:6He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool

 Cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh in damage.

 ^26:7The legs of the lame hang loose:

 So is a parable in the mouth of fools.

 ^26:8As one that bindeth a stone in a sling,

 So is he that giveth honor to a fool.

 ^26:9As a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard,

 So is a parable in the mouth of fools.

 ^26:10As an archer that woundeth all,

 So is he that hireth a fool and he that hireth them that pass by.

 ^26:11As a dog that returneth to his vomit,

 So is a fool that repeateth his folly.

 ^26:12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit?

 There is more hope of a fool than of him.

 ^26:13The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way;

 A lion is in the streets.

 ^26:14As the door turneth upon its hinges,

 So doth the sluggard upon his bed.

 ^26:15The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish;

 It wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.

 ^26:16The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit

 Than seven men that can render a reason.

 ^26:17He that passeth by, and vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him,

 Is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

 ^26:18As a madman who casteth firebrands,

 Arrows, and death,

 ^26:19So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor,

 And saith, Am not I in sport?

 ^26:20For lack of wood the fire goeth out;

 And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.

 ^26:21As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire,

 So is a contentious man to inflame strife.

 ^26:22The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels,

 And they go down into the innermost parts.

 ^26:23Fervent lips and a wicked heart

 Are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.

 ^26:24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips;

 But he layeth up deceit within him:

 ^26:25When he speaketh fair, believe him not;

 For there are seven abominations in his heart:

 ^26:26Though his hatred cover itself with guile,

 His wickedness shall be openly showed before the assembly.

 ^26:27Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein;

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

 ^26:28A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded;

 And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.