Proverbs 26

Similitudes, Instructions

1Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest,

So honor is not fitting for a fool.

2Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,

So a curse without cause does not alight.

3A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,

And a rod for the back of fools.

4Do not answer a fool according to his folly,

Or you will also be like him.

5Answer a fool as his folly deserves,

That he not be wise in his own eyes.

6He cuts off his own feet and drinks violence

Who sends a message by the hand of a fool.

7Like the legs which are useless to the lame,

So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

8Like one who binds a stone in a sling,

So is he who gives honor to a fool.

9Like a thorn which falls into the hand of a drunkard,

So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

10Like an archer who wounds everyone,

So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by.

11Like a dog that returns to its vomit

Is a fool who repeats his folly.

12Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?

There is more hope for a fool than for him.

13The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road!

A lion is in the open square!”

14As the door turns on its hinges,

So does the sluggard on his bed.

15The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;

He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again.

16The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes

Than seven men who can give a discreet answer.

17Like one who takes a dog by the ears

Is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him.

18Like a madman who throws

Firebrands, arrows and death,

19So is the man who deceives his neighbor,

And says, “Was I not joking?”

20For lack of wood the fire goes out,

And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.

21Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,

So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

22The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels,

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

23Like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross

Are burning lips and a wicked heart.

24He who hates disguises it with his lips,

But he lays up deceit in his heart.

25When he speaks graciously, do not believe him,

For there are seven abominations in his heart.

26Though his hatred covers itself with guile,

His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.

27He who digs a pit will fall into it,

And he who rolls a stone, it will come back on him.

28A lying tongue hates those it crushes,

And a flattering mouth works ruin.