26:1
Snow no more befits the summer, nor rain the harvest-time, than honours befit a fool.
26:2
As the sparrow escapes, and the swallow flies away, so the undeserved curse will never hit its mark.
26:3
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and for the backs of fools, a stick.
26:4
Do not answer a fool in the terms of his folly for fear you grow like him yourself.
26:5
Answer a fool in the terms of his folly for fear he imagine himself wise.
26:6
He wounds himself, he takes violence for his drink, who sends a message by a fool.
26:7
Unreliable as the legs of the lame, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
26:8
As well tie the stone to the sling as pay honour to a fool.
26:9
A thorn branch in a drunkard's hand, such is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
26:10
An archer wounding everyone, such is he who hires the passing fool and drunkard.
26:11
As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool reverts to his folly.
26:12
You see someone who thinks himself wise? More to be hoped for from a fool than from him!
26:13
'A wild beast on the road!' says the idler, 'a lion in the streets!'
26:14
The door turns on its hinges, the idler on his bed.
26:15
Into the dish the idler dips his hand, but is too tired to bring it back to his mouth.
26:16
The idler thinks himself wiser than seven people who answer with discretion.
26:17
He takes a stray dog by the ears, who meddles in someone else's quarrel.
26:18
Like a madman hurling firebrands, arrows and death,
26:19
so is anyone who lies to a companion and then says, 'Aren't I amusing?'
26:20
No wood, and the fire goes out; no slanderer, and quarrelling dies down.
26:21
Charcoal for live embers, wood for fire, and the quarrelsome for kindling strife.
26:22
The words of a slanderer are tasty morsels that go right down into the belly.
26:23
Base silver-plate on top of clay: such are fervent lips and a wicked heart.
26:24
Whoever hates may hide it in speech, but deep within lies treachery;
26:25
do not trust such a person's pretty speeches, since in the heart lurk seven abominations.
26:26
Hatred may disguise itself with guile, to reveal its wickedness later in the assembly.
26:27
Whoever digs a pit falls into it, the stone comes back on him that rolls it.
26:28
The lying tongue hates its victims, the wheedling mouth causes ruin.
Previous
Next