1
Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.
2
Like a sparrow in its wandering, like a swallow in its flying, so a curse without cause shall not come to rest.
3
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.
4
Do not answer a fool according to his foolishness, lest you also become like him.
5
Answer a fool according to his foolishness, lest he become wise in his own eyes.
6
The one who sends a matter by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
7
The legs of the lame hang loose, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8
Like binding a stone in a sling is the one who gives honor to a fool.
9
Like a thorn that enters the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10
Like an archer who wounds everyone is the one who hires a fool or hires those passing by.
11
Like a dog returning to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness.
12
Do you see an ish wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13
The sluggard says: “There is a fierce lion in the way, a lion among the streets.”
14
As a door turns upon its hinges, so the sluggard upon his bed.
15
The sluggard buries his hand in the dish, and it wearies him to return it to his mouth.
16
The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven who return a discerning answer.
17
Like one who grabs a dog by the ears is the one passing by who becomes enraged over a controversy not his own.
18
Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,
19
so is an ish who deceives his neighbor and says, “Was I not laughing?”
20
Where there is no wood, the fire goes out, and where there is no slanderer, contention becomes quiet.
21
Charcoal for burning coals, wood for fire, and a contentious ish for kindling strife.
22
The words of a slanderer are like delicacies, and they descend into the innermost chambers of the body.
23
Like silver dross spread over an earthen vessel are burning lips with an evil heart.
24
The one who hates disguises himself with his lips, but within himself he sets deceit.
25
When he makes his voice gracious, do not trust him, for seven abominations are in his heart.
26
Though his hatred is covered by deceit, his evil shall be revealed before the assembly.
27
The one who digs a pit shall fall into it, and the one who rolls a stone— it shall return upon him.
28
A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth works ruin.