Proverbs
Chapter 26

1. As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour beseemeth not a fool.
2. As the sparrow for flitting about, as the swallow for flying, so a curse undeserved shall not come.
3. A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the back of fools.
4. Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
5. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
6. He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off [his own] feet, [and] drinketh damage.
7. The legs of the lame hang loose; so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8. As a bag of gems in a stoneheap, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9. [As] a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10. A master roughly worketh every one: he both hireth the fool and hireth passers-by.
11. As a dog turneth back to its vomit, [so] a fool repeateth his folly.
12. Hast thou seen a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
13. The sluggard saith, There is a fierce lion in the way; a lion is in the midst of the streets!
14. [As] the door turneth upon its hinges, so the sluggard upon his bed.
15. The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish: it wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16. A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven [men] that answer discreetly.
17. He that passing by vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, is [like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18. As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
19. so is a man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am I not in sport?
20. Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no talebearer, the contention ceaseth.
21. [As] coals for hot coals, and wood for fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife.
22. The words of a talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23. Ardent lips, and a wicked heart, are [as] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
24. He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him:
25. when his voice is gracious, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26. Though [his] hatred is covered by dissimulation, his wickedness shall be made manifest in the congregation.
27. Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
28. A lying tongue hateth those that are injured by it, and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.