Mishlei 26

Mishlei (Book of Proverbs), Chapter 26

'"`UNIQ--named-00000000-QINU`"'¹ As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.

'"`UNIQ--named-00000001-QINU`"'² As the wandering sparrow, as the flying swallow, so the curse that is causeless shall come home.

'"`UNIQ--named-00000002-QINU`"'³ A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the back of fools.

'"`UNIQ--named-00000003-QINU`"'⁴ Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

'"`UNIQ--named-00000004-QINU`"'⁵ Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

'"`UNIQ--named-00000005-QINU`"'⁶ He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh damage.

'"`UNIQ--named-00000006-QINU`"'⁷ The legs hang limp from the lame; so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

'"`UNIQ--named-00000007-QINU`"'⁸ As a small stone in a heap of stones, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

'"`UNIQ--named-00000008-QINU`"'⁹ As a thorn that cometh into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

'"`UNIQ--named-00000009-QINU`"'¹⁰ A master performeth all things; but he that stoppeth a fool is as one that stoppeth a flood.

'"`UNIQ--named-0000000A-QINU`"'¹¹ As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is a fool that repeateth his folly.

'"`UNIQ--named-0000000B-QINU`"'¹² Seest thou a man wise in his own eyes? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

'"`UNIQ--named-0000000C-QINU`"'¹³ The sluggard saith: 'There is a lion in the way; yea, a lion is in the streets.'

'"`UNIQ--named-0000000D-QINU`"'¹⁴ The door is turning upon its hinges, and the sluggard is still upon his bed.

'"`UNIQ--named-0000000E-QINU`"'¹⁵ The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; it wearieth him to bring it back to his mouth.

'"`UNIQ--named-0000000F-QINU`"'¹⁶ The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men that give wise answer.

'"`UNIQ--named-00000010-QINU`"'¹⁷ He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife not his own, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

'"`UNIQ--named-00000011-QINU`"'¹⁸ As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death;

'"`UNIQ--named-00000012-QINU`"'¹⁹ So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith: 'Am not I in sport?'

'"`UNIQ--named-00000013-QINU`"'²⁰ Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.

'"`UNIQ--named-00000014-QINU`"'²¹ As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

'"`UNIQ--named-00000015-QINU`"'²² The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

'"`UNIQ--named-00000016-QINU`"'²³ Burning lips and a wicked heart are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.

'"`UNIQ--named-00000017-QINU`"'²⁴ He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him.

'"`UNIQ--named-00000018-QINU`"'²⁵ When he speaketh fair, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart.

'"`UNIQ--named-00000019-QINU`"'²⁶ Though his hatred be concealed with deceit, his wickedness shall be revealed before the congregation.

'"`UNIQ--named-0000001A-QINU`"'²⁷ Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.

'"`UNIQ--named-0000001B-QINU`"'²⁸ A lying tongue hateth those that are crushed by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.