Proverbs 26:1-16 ▼

1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honour is not seemly for a fool.

2 As the wandering sparrow, as the flying swallow, So the curse that is causeless shall come home.

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 hang limp from the lame; So is a parable in the mouth of fools.

8 As a small stone in a heap of stones, So is he that giveth honour to a fool.

9 As a thorn that cometh into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools.

10 A master performeth all things; But he that stoppeth a fool is as one that stoppeth a flood.

11 As a dog that returneth to his vomit, So is a fool that repeateth his folly.

12 Seest thou a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope of a fool than of him.

13 The sluggard saith: 'There is a lion in the way; Yea, a lion is in the streets.'

14 The door is turning upon its hinges, And the sluggard is still upon his bed.

15 The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; It wearieth him to bring it back to his mouth.

16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men that give wise answer.