261 Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest , So honor is not fitting for a fool .
2 Like a sparrow in its flitting , like a swallow in its flying , So a curse without cause does not alight .
3 A whip is for the horse , a bridle for the donkey , And a rod for the back of fools .
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly , Or you will also be like him. 5 Answer a fool as his folly deserves, That he not be wise in his own eyes .
6 He cuts off his own feet and drinks violence Who sends a message by the hand of a fool . 7 Like the legs which are useless to the lame , So is a proverb in the mouth of fools . 8 Like one who binds a stone in a sling , So is he who gives honor to a fool . 9 Like a thorn which falls into the hand of a drunkard , So is a proverb in the mouth of fools .
10 Like an archer who wounds everyone , So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by.
11 Like a dog that returns to its vomit Is a fool who repeats his folly .
12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes ? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13 The sluggard says , "There is a lion in the road ! A lion is in the open square !"
14 As the door turns on its hinges , So does the sluggard on his bed .
15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish ; He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again .
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can give a discreet answer .
17 Like one who takes a dog by the ears Is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him.
18 Like a madman who throws Firebrands , arrows and death , 19 So is the man who deceives his neighbor , And says , " Was I not joking ?"
20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer , contention quiets down . 21 Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire , So is a contentious man to kindle strife . 22 The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels , And they go down into the innermost parts of the body .
23 Like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross Are burning lips and a wicked heart .
24 He who hates disguises it with his lips , But he lays up deceit in his heart . 25 When he speaks graciously , do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart . 26 Though his hatred covers itself with guile , His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly .
27 He who digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone , it will come back on him.
28 A lying tongue hates those it crushes , And a flattering mouth works ruin .
