1Honor is not appropriate for a fool, just as snow is out of place in summer or rain at harvest time.
2An undeserved curse will not land, like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow.
3A whip is for a horse, a bridle is for a donkey, and a rod is for the backs of fools.
4Do not answer a fool in ways that match his foolishness, or you will become like him.
5Answer a fool in ways that expose his foolishness, or he will think he is wise.
6Sending a message through a fool is like cutting off your own feet and inviting trouble.
7A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like a lame person's useless legs.
8Giving honor to a fool is like tying a stone securely in a sling.
9A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like a thorn bush that a drunkard picks up and gets stuck in his hand.
10Hiring a fool or hiring just anyone who passes by is like an archer who shoots and wounds everyone.
11A fool who repeats his foolishness is like a dog that goes back to its vomit.
12Do you see someone who thinks he is wise? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13The lazy person says, “There’s a lion in the road! A dangerous lion is roaming the streets!”
14A lazy person turns over and over in bed, just like a door turns on its hinges.
15The lazy person buries his hand in the food dish; he is too lazy to lift it back to his mouth.
16The lazy person thinks he is smarter than seven people who can give sensible answers.
17Getting involved in someone else’s argument when you’re just passing by is like grabbing a dog by the ears.
18Like a crazy person who shoots flaming arrows that cause death,
19is someone who tricks their neighbor and then says, "Wasn't I just kidding?"
20Just as a fire goes out without wood, a fight dies down without gossip.
21Just as coal feeds hot embers and wood feeds fire, a quarrelsome person fuels arguments.
22A gossip's words are like delicious treats; they go deep down inside you.
23Like silver dross on a clay pot are the passionate words of someone with an evil heart.
24A hateful person hides their true intentions with their words, but deep down, they plan evil.
25When they speak kindly, don't believe them, because they have seven evil intentions in their heart.
26Their evil might be hidden by lies, but their wickedness will be exposed in public.
27Anyone who digs a pit will fall into it. Anyone who rolls a stone will have it roll back on them.
28A lying tongue hates those it harms, and a flattering mouth leads to ruin.