Similitudes and Instructions

1In the manner of snow in the summer, and rain at the harvest, so also is glory unfit for the foolish.

2Like a bird flying away to another place, and like a sparrow that hurries away freely, so also a curse uttered against someone without cause will pass away.

3A whip is for a horse, and a muzzle is for donkey, and a rod is for the back of the imprudent.

4Do not respond to the foolish according to his folly, lest you become like him.

5Respond to the foolish according to his folly, lest he imagine himself to be wise.

6Whoever sends words by a foolish messenger has lame feet and drinks iniquity.

7In the manner of a lame man who has beautiful legs to no purpose, so also is a parable unfit for the mouth of the foolish.

8Just like one who casts a stone into the pile of Mercury, so also is he who gives honor to the foolish.

9In the manner of a thorn, if it were to spring up from the hand of a drunkard, so also is a parable in the mouth of the foolish.

10Judgment determines cases. And whoever imposes silence on the foolish mitigates anger.

11Like a dog that returns to his vomit, so also is the imprudent who repeats his foolishness.

12Have you seen a man who seems wise to himself? There will be greater hope held for the unwise than for him.

13The lazy one says, “There is a lion along the way, and a lioness in the roads.”

14Just as a door turns upon its hinges, so also does the lazy one turn upon his bed.

15The lazy one conceals his hand under his arms, and it is a labor for him to move it to his mouth.

16The lazy one seems wiser to himself than seven men speaking judgments.

17Just like one who takes hold of a dog by the ears, so also is he who crosses impatiently and meddles in the quarrels of another.

18Just as he is guilty who let loose the arrows and the lances unto death,

19so also is the man who harms his friend by deceitfulness. And when he has been apprehended, he says, “I did it jokingly.”

20When the wood fails, the fire will be extinguished. And when the gossiper is taken away, conflicts will be quelled.

21Just as charcoals are to burning coals, and wood is to fire, so also is an angry man who stirs up quarrels.

22The words of a whisperer seem simple, but they penetrate to the innermost parts of the self.

23In the same manner as an earthen vessel, if it were adorned with impure silver, conceited lips are allied with a wicked heart.

24An enemy is known by his lips, though it is from his heart that he draws out deceit.

25When he will have lowered his voice, do not believe him, for there are seven vices in his heart.

26Whoever covers hatred with deceit, his malice shall be revealed in the assembly.

27Whoever digs a pit will fall into it. And whoever rolls a stone, it will roll back to him.

28A false tongue does not love truth. And a slippery mouth works ruin.