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 fool's 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 mouths 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.