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26:1 Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool. 26:2 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, So a curse without cause does not alight. 26:3 A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the back of fools. 26:4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Or you will also be like him. 26:5 Answer a fool as his folly deserves, That he not be wise in his own eyes. 26:6 He cuts off his own feet and drinks violence Who sends a message by the hand of a fool. 26:7 Like the legs which are useless to the lame, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools. 26:8 Like one who binds a stone in a sling, So is he who gives honor to a fool. 26:9 Like a thorn which falls into the hand of a drunkard, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools. 26:10 Like an archer who wounds everyone, So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by. 26:11 Like a dog that returns to its vomit Is a fool who repeats his folly. 26:12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. 26:13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road! A lion is in the open square!" 26:14 As the door turns on its hinges, So does the sluggard on his bed. 26:15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again. 26:16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can give a discreet answer. 26:17 Like one who takes a dog by the ears Is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him. 26:18 Like a madman who throws Firebrands, arrows and death, 26:19 So is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, "Was I not joking?" 26:20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down. 26:21 Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife. 26:22 The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body. 26:23 Like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross Are burning lips and a wicked heart. 26:24 He who hates disguises it with his lips, But he lays up deceit in his heart. 26:25 When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart. 26:26 Though his hatred covers itself with guile, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly. 26:27 He who digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone, it will come back on him. 26:28 A lying tongue hates those it crushes, And a flattering mouth works ruin.