(No prolog)
[1] As snow in summer, and rain in harvest, so glory is not seemly for a fool.
[2] As a bird flying to other places, and a sparrow going here or there: so a curse uttered without cause shall come upon a man.
[3] A whip for a horse, and a snaffle for an ass, and a rod for the back of fools.
[4] Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou be made like him.
[5] Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he imagine himself to be wise.
[2] "As a bird": The meaning is, that a curse uttered without cause shall do no harm to the person that is cursed, but will return upon him that curseth, as whithersoever a bird flies, it returns to its own nest.
[4] "Answer not a fool": Viz., so as to imitate him but only so as to reprove his folly.
[6] He that sendeth words by a foolish messenger, is lame of feet and drinketh iniquity.
[7] As a lame man hath fair legs in vain: so a parable is unseemly in the mouth of fools.
[8] As he that casteth a stone into the heap of Mercury: so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
[9] As if a thorn should grow in the hand of a drunkard: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
[10] Judgment determineth causes: and he that putteth a fool to silence, appeaseth anger.
[11] As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is the fool that repeateth his folly.
[12] Hast thou seen a man wise in his own conceit? there shall be more hope of a fool than of him.
[13] The slothful man saith: There is a lion in the way, and a lioness in the roads.
[14] As the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
[15] The slothful hideth his hand under his armpit, and it grieveth him to turn it to his mouth.
[16] The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit, than seven men that speak sentences.
[17] As he that taketh a dog by the ears, so is he that passeth by in anger, and meddleth with another man's quarrel.
[18] As he is guilty that shooteth arrows, and lances unto death:
[19] So is the man that hurteth his friend deceitfully: and when he is taken, saith: I did it in jest.
[20] When the wood faileth, the fire shall go out: and when the talebearer is taken away, contentions shall cease.
[21] As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire, so an angry man stirreth up strife.
[22] The words of a talebearer are as it were simple, but they reach to the innermost parts of the belly.
[23] Swelling lips joined with a corrupt heart, are like an earthen vessel adorned with silver dross.
[24] An enemy is known by his lips, when in his heart he entertaineth deceit.
[25] When he shall speak low, trust him not: because there are seven mischiefs in his heart.
[26] He that covereth hatred deceitfully, his malice shall be laid open in the public assembly.
[27] He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return to him.
[28] A deceitful tongue loveth not truth: and a slippery mouth worketh ruin.
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