Proverbs 26

1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.

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 conceit.s

6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.s7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.s8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.s9 As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.10 The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.s11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.s12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.s16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.s

18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,s19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.sss21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.s23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.

24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;s25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.s26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.s27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

Proverbs 26

Fools Recycle Silliness

1 We no more give honors to fools than pray for snow in summer or rain during harvest.
2 You have as little to fear from an undeserved curse as from the dart of a wren or the swoop of a swallow.
3 A whip for the racehorse, a tiller for the sailboat— and a stick for the back of fools!
4 Don't respond to the stupidity of a fool; you'll only look foolish yourself.
5 Answer a fool in simple terms so he doesn't get a swelled head.
6 You're only asking for trouble when you send a message by a fool.
7 A proverb quoted by fools is limp as a wet noodle.
8 Putting a fool in a place of honor is like setting a mud brick on a marble column.
9 To ask a moron to quote a proverb is like putting a scalpel in the hands of a drunk.
10 Hire a fool or a drunk and you shoot yourself in the foot.
11 As a dog eats its own vomit, so fools recycle silliness.
12 See that man who thinks he's so smart? You can expect far more from a fool than from him.
13 Loafers say, "It's dangerous out there! Tigers are prowling the streets!" and then pull the covers back over their heads.
14 Just as a door turns on its hinges, so a lazybones turns back over in bed.
15 A shiftless sluggard puts his fork in the pie, but is too lazy to lift it to his mouth.

Like Glaze on Cracked Pottery

16 Dreamers fantasize their self-importance; they think they are smarter than a whole college faculty.
17 You grab a mad dog by the ears when you butt into a quarrel that's none of your business.
18-19 People who shrug off deliberate deceptions, saying, "I didn't mean it, I was only joking," Are worse than careless campers who walk away from smoldering campfires.
20 When you run out of wood, the fire goes out; when the gossip ends, the quarrel dies down.
21 A quarrelsome person in a dispute is like kerosene thrown on a fire.
22 Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy; do you want junk like that in your belly?
23 Smooth talk from an evil heart is like glaze on cracked pottery.
24-26 Your enemy shakes hands and greets you like an old friend, all the while conniving against you. When he speaks warmly to you, don't believe him for a minute; he's just waiting for the chance to rip you off. No matter how cunningly he conceals his malice, eventually his evil will be exposed in public.
27 Malice backfires; spite boomerangs.
28 Liars hate their victims; flatterers sabotage trust.