26:1 Like snow in summertime and rain at harvest time, so honor is not right for a fool.
26:2 Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so a hastily spoken curse does not come to rest.
26:3 A whip is for the horse, a bridle is for the donkey, and a rod is for the backs of fools.
26:4 Do not answer a fool with his own stupidity, or you will be like him.
26:5 Answer a fool with his own stupidity, or he will think he is wise.
26:6 Whoever uses a fool to send a message cuts off his own feet and brings violence upon himself.
26:7 Like a lame person’s limp legs, so is a proverb in the mouths of fools.
26:8 Like tying a stone to a sling, so is giving honor to a fool.
26:9 Like a thorn stuck in a drunk’s hand, so is a proverb in the mouths of fools.
26:10 Like many people who destroy everything, so is one who hires fools or drifters.
26:11 As a dog goes back to its vomit, so a fool repeats his stupidity.
26:12 Have you met a person who thinks he is wise? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
26:13 A lazy person says, “There’s a ferocious lion out on the road! There’s a lion loose in the streets!”
26:14 As a door turns on its hinges, so the lazy person turns on his bed.
26:15 A lazy person puts his fork in his food. He wears himself out as he brings it back to his mouth.
26:16 A lazy person thinks he is wiser than seven people who give a sensible answer.
26:17 Like grabbing a dog by the ears, so is a bystander who gets involved in someone else’s quarrel.
26:18 Like a madman who shoots flaming arrows, arrows, and death,
26:19 so is the person who tricks his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”
26:20 Without wood a fire goes out, and without gossip a quarrel dies down.
26:21 As charcoal fuels burning coals and wood fuels fire, so a quarrelsome person fuels a dispute.
26:22 The words of a gossip are swallowed greedily, and they go down into a person’s innermost being.
26:23 Like a clay pot covered with cheap silver, so is smooth talk that covers up an evil heart.
26:24 Whoever is filled with hate disguises it with his speech, but inside he holds on to deceit.
26:25 When he talks charmingly, do not trust him because of the seven disgusting things in his heart.
26:26 His hatred is deceitfully hidden, but his wickedness will be revealed to the community.
26:27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.
26:28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.
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