Proverbs 26:1-22

As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honour is not seemly for a fool. As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, So the curse causeless shall not come. A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the fool's back. Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit. He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool Cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage. The legs of the lame are not equal: So is a parable in the mouth of fools. As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honour to a fool. As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools. The great God that formed all things Both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors. As a dog returneth to his vomit, So a fool returneth to his folly. Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him. The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; A lion is in the streets. As the door turneth upon his hinges, So doth the slothful upon his bed. The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; It grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth. The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit Than seven men that can render a reason. He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, Is like one that taketh a dog by the ears. As a mad man who casteth firebrands, Arrows, and death, So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, And saith, Am not I in sport? Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: So where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; So is a contentious man to kindle strife. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, And they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.