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 fool cutteth 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
things both 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 conceit than 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 heart
are 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.