| Chapter 26 |
1 |
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour beseemeth not a fool. --
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2 |
As the sparrow for flitting about, as the swallow for flying, so a curse undeserved shall not come. --
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3 |
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the back of fools. --
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4 |
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. --
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5 |
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes. --
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6 |
He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off [his own] feet, [and] drinketh damage. --
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7 |
The legs of the lame hang loose; so is a proverb in the mouth of fools. --
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8 |
As a bag of gems in a stoneheap, so is he that giveth honour to a fool. --
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9 |
[As] a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools. --
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10 |
A master roughly worketh every one: he both hireth the fool and hireth passers-by. --
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11 |
As a dog turneth back to its vomit, [so] a fool repeateth his folly. --
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12 |
Hast thou seen a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope of a fool than of him. --
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13 |
The sluggard saith, There is a fierce lion in the way; a lion is in the midst of the streets! --
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14 |
[As] the door turneth upon its hinges, so the sluggard upon his bed. --
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15 |
The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish: it wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth. --
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16 |
A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven [men] that answer discreetly. --
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17 |
He that passing by vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, is [like] one that taketh a dog by the ears. --
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18 |
As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, --
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19 |
so is a man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am I not in sport? --
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20 |
Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no talebearer, the contention ceaseth. --
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21 |
[As] coals for hot coals, and wood for fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife. --
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22 |
The words of a talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. --
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23 |
Ardent lips, and a wicked heart, are [as] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross. --
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24 |
He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him: --
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25 |
when his voice is gracious, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart. --
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26 |
Though [his] hatred is covered by dissimulation, his wickedness shall be made manifest in the congregation. --
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27 |
Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him. --
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28 |
A lying tongue hateth those that are injured by it, and a flattering mouth worketh ruin. --
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