26:1  Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool.

26:2  Like a sparrow in {its} flitting, like a swallow in {its} flying, So a curse without cause does not alight.

26:3  A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the back of fools.

26:4  Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Or you will also be like him.

26:5  Answer a fool as his folly {deserves,} That he not be wise in his own eyes.

26:6  He cuts off {his own} feet {and} drinks violence Who sends a message by the hand of a fool.

26:7  {Like} the legs {which} are useless to the lame, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

26:8  Like one who binds a stone in a sling, So is he who gives honor to a fool.

26:9  {Like} a thorn {which} falls into the hand of a drunkard, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

26:10  {Like} an archer who wounds everyone, So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by.

26:11  Like a dog that returns to its vomit Is a fool who repeats his folly.

26:12  Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

26:13  The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road! A lion is in the open square!"

26:14  {As} the door turns on its hinges, So {does} the sluggard on his bed.

26:15  The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again.

26:16  The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can give a discreet answer.

26:17  {Like} one who takes a dog by the ears Is he who passes by {and} meddles with strife not belonging to him.

26:18  Like a madman who throws Firebrands, arrows and death,

26:19  So is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, "Was I not joking?"

26:20  For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.

26:21  {Like} charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

26:22  The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

26:23  {Like} an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross Are burning lips and a wicked heart.

26:24  He who hates disguises {it} with his lips, But he lays up deceit in his heart.

26:25  When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart.

26:26  {Though his} hatred covers itself with guile, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.

26:27  He who digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone, it will come back on him.

26:28  A lying tongue hates those it crushes, And a flattering mouth works ruin.