Proverbs 26:1-22

As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not seemly for a fool. As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, So the curse that is causeless alighteth not. A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the back of fools. 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 his own feet, and drinketh in damage. The legs of the lame hang loose; So is a parable in the mouth of fools. As one that bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool. As a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools. As an archer that woundeth all, So is he that hireth a fool and he that hireth them that pass by. As a dog that returneth to his vomit, So is a fool that repeateth his folly. Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him. The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way; A lion is in the streets. As the door turneth upon its hinges, So doth the sluggard upon his bed. The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; It wearieth 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 vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, Is like one that taketh a dog by the ears. As a madman who casteth firebrands, Arrows, and death, So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, Am not I in sport? For lack of wood the fire goeth out; And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth. As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to inflame strife. The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.