Similitudes and Instructions
Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.
Like a sparrow in its wandering, like a swallow in its flying, so a curse without cause does not come.
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also become like him.
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
One who cuts off feet, who drinks violence, is one who sends words by the hand of a fool.
The legs of a lame man hang limp — so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
Like binding a stone in a sling, so is one who gives honor to a fool.
A thorn goes up into the hand of a drunkard — so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
An archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a fool and one who hires those who pass by.
As a dog returns to its vomit, a fool repeats his folly.
Have you seen a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
The sluggard says, “A lion is in the way! A lion is between the open places!”
The door turns on its hinge, and the sluggard on his bed.
The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too weary to return it to his mouth.
The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven who return discernment.
One who takes hold of the ears of a dog is one passing by who enrages himself over a quarrel not his own.
Like a madman who shoots firebrands, arrows, and death,
so is a man who deceives his neighbor and says, “Was I not joking?”
Where there is no wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, discord is quiet.
Charcoal for coals and wood for fire, and a man of discords for kindling a quarrel.
The words of a whisperer are like dainties, and they go down to the chambers of the belly.
Silver of dross overlaid on earthenware are burning lips and an evil heart.
With his lips one who hates dissembles, and within him he sets deceit.
When he makes his voice gracious, do not believe him, for seven abominations are in his heart.
Hatred is covered by deception; his evil will be uncovered in the assembly.
One who digs a pit will fall into it, and one who rolls a stone — it will return to him.
A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a smooth mouth works ruin.