Proverbs 26:1–12

As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest,

So honor is not seemly for a fool.

²As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying,

So the curse that is causeless alighteth not.

³A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass,

And a rod for the back of fools.

⁴Answer not a fool according to his folly,

Lest thou also be like unto him.

⁵Answer a fool according to his folly,

Lest he be wise in his own conceit.

⁶He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool

Cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh in damage.

⁷The legs of the lame hang loose;

So is a parable in the mouth of fools.

⁸As one that bindeth a stone in a sling,

So is he that giveth honor to a fool.

⁹As a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard,

So is a parable in the mouth of fools.

¹⁰As an archer that woundeth all,

So is he that hireth a fool and he that hireth them that pass by.

¹¹As a dog that returneth to his vomit,

So is a fool that repeateth his folly.

¹²Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit?

There is more hope of a fool than of him.