Proverbs 26

1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest,
So honor is not seemly for a fool. 2As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying,
So the curse that is causeless alighteth not. 3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass,
And a rod for the back of fools. 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 his own feet, and drinketh in damage. 7The legs of the lame hang loose;
So is a parable in the mouth of fools. 8As one that bindeth a stone in a sling,
So is he that giveth honor to a fool. 9As a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard,
So is a parable in the mouth of fools. 10As an archer that woundeth all,
So is he that hireth a fool and he that hireth them that pass by. 11As a dog that returneth to his vomit,
So is a fool that repeateth his folly. 12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit?
There is more hope of a fool than of him. 13The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way;
A lion is in the streets. 14As the door turneth upon its hinges,
So doth the sluggard upon his bed. 15The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish;
It wearieth 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 vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him,
Is like one that taketh a dog by the ears. 18As a madman who casteth firebrands,
Arrows, and death, 19So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor,
And saith, Am not I in sport? 20For lack of wood the fire goeth out;
And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth. 21As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire,
So is a contentious man to inflame strife. 22The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels,
And they go down into the innermost parts. 23Fervent lips and a wicked heart
Are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross. 24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips;
But he layeth up deceit within him: 25When he speaketh fair, believe him not;
For there are seven abominations in his heart: 26Though his hatred cover itself with guile,
His wickedness shall be openly showed before the assembly. 27Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein;
And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him. 28A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded;
And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.