Like snow in summer or rainv in harvest,

honor is not fitting for a fool.w

2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow,

an undeserved curse does not come to rest.x

3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,y

and a rod for the backs of fools!z

4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,

or you yourself will be just like him.a

5 Answer a fool according to his folly,

or he will be wise in his own eyes.b

6 Sending a message by the hands of a foolc

is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.

7 Like the useless legs of one who is lame

is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.d

8 Like tying a stone in a sling

is the giving of honor to a fool.e

9 Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand

is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.f

10 Like an archer who wounds at random

is one who hires a fool or any passer-by.

11 As a dog returns to its vomit,g

so fools repeat their folly.h

12 Do you see a person wise in their own eyes?i

There is more hope for a fool than for them.j