Similitudes and Instructions

1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honour is not comely for a fool.

2As a bird by wandering, as a swallow by flying, So reviling without cause doth not come.

3A whip is for a horse, a bridle for an ass, And a rod for the back of fools.

4Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou be like to him -- even thou.

5Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.

6He is cutting off feet, he is drinking injury, Who is sending things by the hand of a fool.

7Weak have been the two legs of the lame, And a parable in the mouth of fools.

8As one who is binding a stone in a sling, So is he who is giving honour to a fool.

9A thorn hath gone up into the hand of a drunkard, And a parable in the mouth of fools.

10Great is the Former of all, And He is rewarding a fool, And is rewarding transgressors.

11As a dog hath returned to its vomit, A fool is repeating his folly.

12Thou hast seen a man wise in his own eyes, More hope of a fool than of him!

13The slothful hath said, 'A lion is in the way, A lion is in the broad places.'

14The door turneth round on its hinge, And the slothful on his bed.

15The slothful hath hid his hand in a dish, He is weary of bringing it back to his mouth.

16Wiser is the slothful in his own eyes, Than seven men returning a reason.

17Laying hold on the ears of a dog, Is a passer-by making himself wrath for strife not his own.

18As one pretending to be feeble, Who is casting sparks, arrows, and death,

19So hath a man deceived his neighbour, And hath said, 'Am not I playing?'

20Without wood is fire going out, And without a tale-bearer, contention ceaseth,

21Coal to burning coals, and wood to fire, And a man of contentions to kindle strife.

22The words of a tale-bearer are as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down to the inner parts of the heart.

23Silver of dross spread over potsherd, Are burning lips and an evil heart.

24By his lips doth a hater dissemble, And in his heart he placeth deceit,

25When his voice is gracious trust not in him, For seven abominations are in his heart.

26Hatred is covered by deceit, Revealed is its wickedness in an assembly.

27Whoso is digging a pit falleth into it, And the roller of a stone, to him it turneth.

28A lying tongue hateth its bruised ones, And a flattering mouth worketh an overthrow!