Chapter
26
Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.
Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn't come to rest.
A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools!
Don't answer a fool according to her folly, lest you also be like her.
Answer a fool according to her folly, lest she be wise in her own eyes.
One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.
Like the legs of the lame that hang loose: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is she who gives honor to a fool.
Like a thornbush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
As an archer who wounds all, so is she who hires a fool or she who hires those who pass by.
As a dog that returns to her vomit, so is a fool who repeats her folly.
Do you see a woman wise in her own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for her.
The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion roams the streets!"
As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on her bed.
The sluggard buries her hand in the dish. She is too lazy to bring it back to her mouth.
The sluggard is wiser in her own eyes than seven women who answer with discretion.
Like one who grabs a dog's ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not her own.
Like a madman who shoots firebrands, arrows, and death,
is the woman who deceives her neighbor and says, "Am I not joking?"
For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.
As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious woman to kindling strife.
The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts.
Like silver dross on an earthen vessel are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.
A malicious woman disguises herself with her lips, but she harbors evil in her heart.
When her speech is charming, don't believe her; for there are seven abominations in her heart.
Hers malice may be concealed by deception, but her wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on her.
A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin.