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Similitudes and Instructions

Verse1Like snow in summer and rain at harvest, honor does not befit a fool.

Verse2Like a fluttering sparrow or darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.

Verse3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!

Verse4Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him.

Verse5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.

Verse6Like cutting off one’s own feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool.

Verse7Like lame legs hanging limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.

Verse8Like binding a stone into a sling is the giving of honor to a fool.

Verse9Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.

Verse10Like an archer who wounds at random is he who hires a fool or passerby.

Verse11As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.

Verse12Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Verse13The slacker says, “A lion is in the road! A fierce lion roams the public square!”

Verse14As a door turns on its hinges, so the slacker turns on his bed.

Verse15The slacker buries his hand in the dish; it wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.

Verse16The slacker is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly.

Verse17Like one who grabs a dog by the ears is a passerby who meddles in a quarrel not his own.

Verse18Like a madman shooting firebrands and deadly arrows,

Verse19so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”

Verse20Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, a conflict ceases.

Verse21Like charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.

Verse22The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.

Verse23Like glaze covering an earthen vessel are burning lips and a wicked heart.

Verse24A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart.

Verse25When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart.

Verse26Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

Verse27He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.

Verse28A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.