Similitudes and Instructions

1As snow in summer, and rain in harvest, so glory is not seemly for a fool.

2As a bird flying to other places, and a sparrow going here or there: so a curse uttered without cause shall come upon a man.

3A whip for a horse, and a snaffle for an ass, and a rod for the back of fools.

4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou be made like him.

5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he imagine himself to be wise.

6He that sendeth words by a foolish messenger, is lame of feet and drinketh iniquity.

7As a lame man hath fair legs in vain: so a parable is unseemly in the mouth of fools.

8As he that casteth a stone into the heap of Mercury: so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

9As if a thorn should grow in the hand of a drunkard: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

10Judgment determineth causes: and he that putteth a fool to silence, appeaseth anger.

11As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is the fool that repeateth his folly.

12Hast thou seen a man wise in his own conceit? there shall be more hope of a fool than of him.

13The slothful man saith: There is a lion in the way, and a lioness in the roads.

14As the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.

15The slothful hideth his hand under his armpit, and it grieveth him to turn it to his mouth.

16The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit, than seven men that speak sentences.

17As he that taketh a dog by the ears, so is he that passeth by in anger, and meddleth with another man's quarrel.

18As he is guilty that shooteth arrows, and lances unto death.

19So is the man that hurteth his friend deceitfully: and when he is taken, saith: I did it in jest.

20When the wood faileth, the fire shall go out: and when the talebearer is taken away, contentions shall cease.

21As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire, so an angry man stirreth up strife.

22The words of a talebearer are as it were simple, but they reach to the innermost parts of the belly.

23Swelling lips joined with a corrupt heart, are like an earthern vessel adorned with silver dross.

24An enemy is known by his lips, when in his heart he entertaineth deceit.

25When he shall speak low, trust him not: because there are seven mischiefs in his heart.

26He that covereth hatred deceitfully, his malice shall be laid open in the public assembly.

27He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return to him.

28A deceitful tongue loveth not truth: and a slippery mouth worketh ruin.