Proverbs 26:3-12

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.