Proverbs
Chapter 26
Honors don’t suit the fool any more than snow in summer or rain at harvest.
The sparrow escapes, the swallow flies away, so the motiveless curse will have no impact.
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a stick for the backs of fools.
Avoid engaging with foolishness to prevent becoming like them.
Respond to the fool’s stupidity so he doesn’t think he’s smart.
He who sends messages through a fool is hurting himself.
Like the unsteady legs of a lame man, a proverb in the mouth of fools is weak and unstable.
Honoring a fool is like tying a stone to a sling.
Like a thorny branch in a drunkard’s hands, such is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
Like an archer wounding everyone passing by, so is he who employs a fool.
The fool goes back to his foolishness just like a dog goes back to its vomit.
See that man who considers himself wise? There is more hope for a fool!
“There’s a lion in the street,” the lazy man says, “a lion in the square.”
The door swings on its hinges, and the lazy man, on his bed.
The idler dips his hand into the dish but is too tired to lift it to his mouth.
The idler thinks he’s wiser than many people who respond tactfully.
Getting involved in someone else’s fight is like grabbing a passing dog by the tail.
As a madman fires flaming, deadly arrows,
so does the one who lies to his friend and then says: “It was just a joke.”
Without wood, the fire goes out; without a gossiper, the quarrel dies down.
Charcoal on hot coals, wood on a fire, and a quarrelsome man to stir up disputes.
The words of the gossiper are tasty mouthfuls that go straight to the stomach.
Like silver on earthenware, smooth lips can hide a corrupt heart.
The one who hates disguises his words and hides his treachery inside;
do not trust his sweet language, for seven evils fill his heart.
But although he hides his hatred like a hypocrite, his evil will come to light in the assembly.
He who digs a pit falls into it, and the rock he rolls away comes back to hurt him.
The liar despises his victims, and the flattery of the mouth leads to ruin.
Commentaries
Fifth Collection.
This chapter discusses three types of people who are the opposite of truly wise individuals: 1. The fool (1-12), an entirely negative character. In a society that highly values honor, the writer sees honor as harmful and useless to a fool, much like rainwater at harvest time—comparable to throwing pearls before swine. 2. The lazy person (13-16), who is viewed as a detriment to society, an obstacle to avoid and not to imitate. 3. Lastly, the malicious or quarrelsome person (17-28). This type of individual is considered even worse because their words and attitudes more directly affect the healthy relationships that should exist in any community. Words are a uniquely human trait that we must guard and nurture carefully; often, a single word can ruin an entire process, inciting violence within families and communities.