Proverbios 26

¹ As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honour is not seemly for a fool. ² As the wandering sparrow, as the flying swallow, So the curse that is causeless shall come home. ³ A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the back of fools. ⁴ Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also be like unto him. ⁵ Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes. ⁶ He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool Cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh damage. ⁷ The legs hang limp from the lame; So is a parable in the mouth of fools. ⁸ As a small stone in a heap of stones, So is he that giveth honour to a fool. ⁹ As a thorn that cometh into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools. ¹⁰ A master performeth all things; But he that stoppeth a fool is as one that stoppeth a flood. ¹¹ As a dog that returneth to his vomit, So is a fool that repeateth his folly. ¹² Seest thou a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope of a fool than of him. ¹³ The sluggard saith: "There is a lion in the way; Yea, a lion is in the streets." ¹⁴ The door is turning upon its hinges, And the sluggard is still upon his bed. ¹⁵ The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; It wearieth him to bring it back to his mouth. ¹⁶ The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men that give wise answer. ¹⁷ He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife not his own, Is like one that taketh a dog by the ears. ¹⁸ As a madman who casteth firebrands, Arrows, and death; ¹⁹ So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, And saith: "Am not I in sport?" ²⁰ Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth. ²¹ As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; So is a contentious man to kindle strife. ²² The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body. ²³ Burning lips and a wicked heart Are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross. ²⁴ He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, But he layeth up deceit within him. ²⁵ When he speaketh fair, Believe him not; For there are seven abominations in his heart. ²⁶ Though his hatred be concealed with deceit, His wickedness shall be revealed before the congregation. ²⁷ Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him. ²⁸ A lying tongue hateth those that are crushed by it; And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.