26:1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not seemly for a fool.
26:2 As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, So the curse that is causeless does not come.
26:3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the back of fools.
26:4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Or else you will also be like him.
26:5 Answer a fool according to his folly, Or else he will be wise in his own eyes.
26:6 He who sends a message by the hand of a fool Cuts off [his own] feet, [and] drinks crime.
26:7 [As] the legs hang loose from a cripple: So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
26:8 As one who binds a stone in a sling, So is he who gives honor to a fool.
26:9 [As] a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
26:10 [As] an archer that wounds all, So is he who hires a fool and he who hires those who pass by.
26:11 As a dog that returns to his vomit, [So is] a fool that repeats his folly.
26:12 Do you see a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
26:13 The sluggard says, There is a lion in the way; A lion is in the streets.
26:14 [As] the door turns on its hinges, So does the sluggard on his bed.
26:15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; It wearies him to bring it again to his mouth.
26:16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit Than seven men who can render a reason.
26:17 He who passes by, [and] is furious with strife not belonging to him, Is [like] one who takes a dog by the ears.
26:18 As a lunatic who casts firebrands, Arrows, and death,
26:19 So is the man who deceives his fellow man, And says, Am I not joking?
26:20 For lack of wood the fire goes out; And where there is no whisperer, contention ceases.
26:21 [As] coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to inflame strife.
26:22 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.
26:23 Fervent lips and a wicked heart Are [like] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
26:24 He who hates dissembles with his lips; But he lays up deceit inside him:
26:25 When he speaks fair, don't believe him; For there are seven disgusting things in his heart:
26:26 Though [his] hatred covers itself with guile, His wickedness will be openly shown before the assembly.
26:27 Whoever digs a pit will fall in it; And he who rolls a stone, it will return on him.
26:28 A lying tongue hates those whom it has wounded; And a flattering mouth works ruin.