Proverbs 26:1-12

1It is not right to give honour to a fool. It is as silly as snow that falls in summer, or rain that falls at the time of harvest.

2If someone curses you for no reason, it will not stay with you. Their words will be like birds that never stop to rest.

3There are right ways to punish a horse or a donkey. The right way to punish a fool is to beat him with a stick.

4If someone asks you a silly question, do not give him a silly answer. Be careful that you do not become as silly as he is.

5If someone asks you a silly question, give him a silly answer. Then he will know that he is not as wise as he thinks he is.

6If you send a message with a fool, there will be trouble. It would be better to cut off your own feet!

7A lame person cannot use his legs properly. A fool cannot use a proverb properly.

8If you tie a stone into a sling, it will be a useless weapon. It is also useless to give honour to a fool.

9A fool who speaks a proverb is like a drunk person with a thorn in his finger. He does not know what to do with it.

10A soldier who shoots his arrows everywhere is useless. It is the same if you ask a stupid person to do work for you.

11A sick dog goes back to eat what it could not keep in its stomach. A fool goes back and makes the same mistakes again.

12Some men think that they are already wise. A fool is more likely to learn something than they are.