| 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. |