Proverbs 26
Like summertime snow or a harvest rainfall,
so, honor does not serve the foolish at all.
Like sparrows that wander and swallows in flight,
a curse that is causeless will never alight.
A whip for the horse, a goad for the ass,
a rod for the back of the fool with the lash!
Don't answer the questions a fool asks of you,
or you'll look as daft as those asking you do.
If answering, make sure the fool's folly shows,
lest he believes he is the wisest he knows.
If you'd send a fool with a message ahead,
best cut off your feet or drink poison instead.
Like paralyzed legs that are useless to walk,
a proverb is useless for fools when they talk.
Like binding a stone in a sling on the wrist,
to honor a fool is as foolish as this.
A branch full of thorns that a drunk swings about
is like a fool's mouth when a proverb comes out.
Like archers who randomly let arrows fly,
is one who employs fools or those passing by.
Just as a dog, to its own vomit, returns,
a fool repeats folly — a fool never learns.
You've seen one who thinks he is wise, yet is dim?
There is much more hope for a fool than for him.
The sluggard claims, There is a lion out there!
I know there's a lion who's roaming the square!
Just as a door turns on its hinges, yet stays,
the slothful will turn in his bed and just laze.
The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl,
too weary to lift it to feed his own soul.
The slacker is wiser in his own conceit,
than seven men — thoughtful, restrained and discreet.
Like one who would tug on the ears of a stray,
a stranger would join in another man's fray.
The mad shoot their arrows of fire and smoke;
the same deceive neighbors and call it a joke.
Without wood to fuel it, then fires decrease,
without any quarrels, then gossip will cease.
As charcoal to embers, and wood is to flame,
so quarrels fuel strife and are always to blame.
The words of a gossip are swallowed down whole;
they melt in your mouth and go down to your soul.
Just as a glaze covers and coats a clay pot
smooth words will envelop a heart full of rot.
A hateful man hides behind lips that disguise,
but his heart is harboring nothing but lies.
Though his speech is charming, do not believe him,
for his heart contains seven spirits within.
Though malice is covered and hate is concealed,
before the assembly his sins are revealed.
Those digging a pit will fall into their holes,
those rolling a stone will be crushed when it rolls.
A lying tongue hates those it crushes and shames,
and flattering words will cause ruinous flames.
so, honor does not serve the foolish at all.
Like sparrows that wander and swallows in flight,
a curse that is causeless will never alight.
A whip for the horse, a goad for the ass,
a rod for the back of the fool with the lash!
Don't answer the questions a fool asks of you,
or you'll look as daft as those asking you do.
If answering, make sure the fool's folly shows,
lest he believes he is the wisest he knows.
If you'd send a fool with a message ahead,
best cut off your feet or drink poison instead.
Like paralyzed legs that are useless to walk,
a proverb is useless for fools when they talk.
Like binding a stone in a sling on the wrist,
to honor a fool is as foolish as this.
A branch full of thorns that a drunk swings about
is like a fool's mouth when a proverb comes out.
Like archers who randomly let arrows fly,
is one who employs fools or those passing by.
Just as a dog, to its own vomit, returns,
a fool repeats folly — a fool never learns.
You've seen one who thinks he is wise, yet is dim?
There is much more hope for a fool than for him.
The sluggard claims, There is a lion out there!
I know there's a lion who's roaming the square!
Just as a door turns on its hinges, yet stays,
the slothful will turn in his bed and just laze.
The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl,
too weary to lift it to feed his own soul.
The slacker is wiser in his own conceit,
than seven men — thoughtful, restrained and discreet.
Like one who would tug on the ears of a stray,
a stranger would join in another man's fray.
The mad shoot their arrows of fire and smoke;
the same deceive neighbors and call it a joke.
Without wood to fuel it, then fires decrease,
without any quarrels, then gossip will cease.
As charcoal to embers, and wood is to flame,
so quarrels fuel strife and are always to blame.
The words of a gossip are swallowed down whole;
they melt in your mouth and go down to your soul.
Just as a glaze covers and coats a clay pot
smooth words will envelop a heart full of rot.
A hateful man hides behind lips that disguise,
but his heart is harboring nothing but lies.
Though his speech is charming, do not believe him,
for his heart contains seven spirits within.
Though malice is covered and hate is concealed,
before the assembly his sins are revealed.
Those digging a pit will fall into their holes,
those rolling a stone will be crushed when it rolls.
A lying tongue hates those it crushes and shames,
and flattering words will cause ruinous flames.
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