1
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest,So honour is not seemly for a fool.
2
As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying,So the curse causeless shall not come.
3
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass,And a rod for the fool's back.
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 conceit.
6
He that sendeth a message by the hand of a foolCutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
7
The legs of the lame are not equal:So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8
As he that bindeth a stone in a sling,So is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9
As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard,So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10
The great God that formed all thingsBoth rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
11
As a dog returneth to his vomit,So a fool returneth to his folly.
12
Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit?There is more hope of a fool than of him.
13
The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way;A lion is in the streets.
14
As the door turneth upon his hinges,So doth the slothful upon his bed.
15
The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom;It grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceitThan seven men that can render a reason.
17
He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him,Is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18
As a mad man 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, there the fire goeth out:So where there is no talebearer, the strife 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 talebearer are as wounds,And they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23
Burning lips and a wicked heartAre like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24
He that hateth dissembleth with his lips,And layeth up deceit within him;
25
When he speaketh fair, believe him not:For there are seven abominations in his heart.
26
Whose hatred is covered by deceit,His wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
27
Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein:And he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
28
A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it;And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.