Proverbs Capítulo 26

Like snow in summer or rain at harvest, honor is out of place for a fool. Some rewards lose their meaning when given to the wrong person.

Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest. Groundless accusations have no power to stick.

A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools. Some people only respond to firm boundaries.

Don't answer a fool according to their folly, or you'll be just like them. Sometimes silence is the wisest response to foolishness.

Answer a fool according to their folly, or they'll think they're wise. Timing and discernment determine whether to engage or stay silent.

Sending a message by the hand of a fool is like cutting off your feet or drinking poison. Choose your messengers carefully.

Like a lame person's legs that hang limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. Wisdom quoted by someone who doesn't live it loses all power.

Like tying a stone in a sling is giving honor to a fool. Honor misplaced becomes a weapon that harms everyone.

Like a thornbush in a drunkard's hand is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. Wisdom without character is dangerous and unpredictable.

Like an archer who wounds at random is someone who hires a fool or passes travelers. Careless choices cause random damage.

As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats their folly. Old habits of foolishness have a powerful pull unless something deeper changes.

Do you see someone wise in their own eyes? There's more hope for a fool than for them. Arrogance that thinks it has nothing to learn is the deepest blindness.

The sluggard says 'There's a lion in the road — a fierce lion roaming the streets!' Fear is the lazy person's most creative excuse.

As a door turns on its hinges, so the sluggard turns on their bed. Motion without progress — that's the tragedy of laziness.

The sluggard buries their hand in the dish but is too tired to bring it back to their mouth. Even the most basic efforts feel overwhelming when laziness takes root.

The sluggard is wiser in their own eyes than seven people who answer discreetly. Laziness breeds a false confidence that resists all correction.

Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears is someone who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not their own. Stay out of fights that aren't yours.

Like a madman shooting deadly, burning arrows is someone who deceives their neighbor and says 'I was only joking!' Cruel humor is still cruel.

Someone who deceives their neighbor and claims it was just a joke is like a dangerous person with a weapon. Words spoken in jest can wound just as deeply.

Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, a quarrel dies down. Starve drama of its fuel and watch the flames disappear.

A quarrelsome person is like charcoal on burning coals or wood on a fire. Some people feed conflict wherever they go.

The words of a gossip are like choice morsels — they go down to the inmost parts. Gossip is delicious in the moment but poisons you from within.

Like a coating of silver dross over earthenware are burning lips and a wicked heart. Smooth words can hide a heart of destruction.

Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit. The most dangerous harm often wears the most pleasant mask.

Though their speech is charming, don't believe them — seven abominations fill their heart. Charm without character is a carefully constructed lie.

Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed before the whole assembly. The truth always finds its way to the light.

Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them. The traps you set for others become your own undoing.

A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth causes ruin. Deception is never a form of love, no matter how it's packaged.