Chapter 26 As snow in summer and rain in Harvest so Honor is not fitting for a fool Like a flitting sparrow like a flying Swallow so a curse without cause shall Not alight A whip for the horse a bridle for the Donkey and a rod for the Fool's back Do not answer a fool according to his Folly lest you also be like him Answer a fool according to his folly Lest he be wise in his own eyes He who sends a message by the hand of a Fool cuts off his own feet and drinks Violence Like the legs of the lame that hang limp Is a proverb in the mouth of fools Like one who binds a stone in a sling is He who gives honor to a fool Like a thorn that goes into the hand of A drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of Fools The great God who formed everything Gives the fool his higher and the Transgressor his wages As a dog returns to his own vomit so a Fool repeats his folly Do you see a man wise in his own eyes There is more hope for a fool than for Him The lazy man says there is a lion in the Road a fierce lion is in the streets As a door turns on its hinges so does The lazy man on his bed
The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl It wearys him to bring it back to his Mouth The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can answer sensibly He who passes by and meddles in a Quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears Like a madman who throws firebrands Arrows and death is the man who deceives His neighbor and says I was only joking Where there is no wood the fire goes out And where there is no tale Bearer Strife Ceases As charcoal is to burning coals and wood To fire so is a contentious man to Kindle strife The words of a tale Bearer are like Tasty Trifles and they go down into the Inmost body Fervent lips with a wicked heart are Like earthenware covered with silver Dross He who hates disguises it with his lips And lays up deceit within himself When he speaks kindly do not believe him For there are seven Abominations in his Heart Though his hatred is covered by deceit His wickedness will be revealed before The assembly Whoever digs a pit will fall into it and He who rolls a stone will have it roll Back on him
A lying tongue hates those who are Crushed by it And a flattering mouth Works ruin