“Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest,
So honor is not fitting for a fool.
Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,
So a curse without cause does not come to rest.”

“A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
And a rod for the back of fools.
Do not answer a fool according to his foolishness,
Or you will also be like him.”

“Answer a fool as his foolishness deserves,
So that he will not be wise in his own eyes.
One who sends a message by the hand of a fool
Cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.”

“Like the legs of the lame that hang limp,
So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
Like one who binds a stone in a sling,
So is one who gives honor to a fool.”

“Like a thorn that falls into the hand of a drunkard,
So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
Like an archer who wounds everyone,
So is one who hires a fool or hires those who pass by.”

“Like a dog that returns to its vomit
Is a fool who repeats his foolishness.
Do you see a person wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.”

“The lazy one says, ‘There is a lion in the road!
A lion is in the public square!’
As the door turns on its hinges,
So does a lazy one turn on his bed.”

“The lazy one buries his hand in the dish;
He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again.
The lazy one is wiser in his own eyes
Than seven people who can give a discreet answer.”

“Like one who grabs a dog by the ears
Is a passerby who meddles in a quarrel not his own.
Like a madman who throws
Firebrands, arrows, and death,”

“So is the person who deceives his neighbor and says,
‘Was I not joking?’
For lack of wood the fire goes out,
And where there is no gossiper, quarreling quiets down.”

“Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
So is a contentious person to kindle strife.
The words of a gossiper are like dainty morsels,
And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.”

“Like a silver coating on earthenware
Are burning lips and a wicked heart.
One who hates disguises it with his lips,
But he stores up deceit in his heart.”

“When he speaks graciously, do not believe him,
For there are seven abominations in his heart;
Though his hatred covers itself with deception,
His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.”

“One who digs a pit will fall into it,
And one who rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
A lying tongue hates those it crushes,
And a flattering mouth works ruin.”

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Context and Meaning

Proverbs 26 is a masterclass in exposing foolishness in all its destructive shapes:

The fool, the lazy, the deceiver, the meddler, the gossip, and the flatterer.

Each image is chosen to shock the reader awake — to show how foolish behavior harms not just the fool but everyone around him.

The chapter moves from:

• The nature of fools (v. 1–12)
• The nature of laziness (v. 13–16)
• The nature of meddling and deception (v. 17–19)
• The nature of gossip and strife (v. 20–22)
• The nature of hidden hatred (v. 23–28)

It’s a surgical chapter — cutting away the illusions we carry about ourselves and others.

Key Themes:

1. Honor Misplaced: A fool cannot bear praise (v. 1, 8).
2. Futility of Arguing with Fools: Sometimes answer, sometimes don’t — wisdom discerns the moment (v. 4–5).
3. Danger of Empowering Fools: Trusting them hurts you (v. 6, 10).
4. The Cycle of Folly: Fools return to their sin like dogs to vomit (v. 11).
5. Arrogance is Worse Than Foolishness: The self-wise have less hope (v. 12).
6. Laziness is Delusion: Excuses, comfort, and self-deception define the lazy (v. 13–16).
7. Meddling is Harmful: Interference backfires (v. 17).
8. Deception Disguised as Humor: “Just joking” can still destroy (v. 18–19).
9. Gossip Fuels Conflict: Strife lives where whispers live (v. 20–22).
10. Hatred Hides Behind Smooth Words: Flattery and deception mask evil intent (v. 23–28).

Reflection and Impact

Proverbs 26 forces us to be honest about the foolish patterns we either tolerate or imitate.

• Returning to sin is deadly – “Dog returns to vomit” (v. 11) is quoted in 2 Peter 2:22 about false teachers.
• Self-wisdom is spiritual blindness – (v. 12) echoes Revelation 3:17: “You think you are rich… but you are blind.”
• Excuses enslave – (v. 13–16) mirrors Ecclesiastes 11:4: he who watches the wind will not sow.
• Gossip destroys community – (v. 20–22) aligns with James 3:5–6: the tongue sets entire forests ablaze.
• Hidden hatred is exposed – (v. 24–28) matches Luke 12:2: nothing is hidden that will not be revealed.
• Deceit disguised as joking – (v. 18–19) reflects Ephesians 5:4: coarse jesting is out of place.

Application

• Avoid Foolish Patterns: Don’t tolerate or repeat cycles of sin.
• Discern Conversations: Know when answering a fool is wise — and when it’s not.
• Be Reliable: Never let your words or actions make you someone others regret trusting.
• Reject Laziness: Excuses destroy futures.
• Do Not Meddle: Keep out of disputes that aren’t yours.
• Watch Your Humor: Don’t use “jokes” as a cover for harm.
• Shut Down Gossip: Be a fire extinguisher, not fuel.
• Beware of Flattery: Smooth words can mask sharp hatred.
• Guard Your Heart: Let truth, not deceit, form your character.

Closing Thought

Proverbs 26 warns that foolishness is not just ignorance —
it is a spiritual disease with predictable symptoms:

Pride.
Laziness.
Deception.
Gossip.
Strife.
Self-justification.

Wisdom exposes these patterns so that we may repent, rise, and walk in the fear of the Lord — not as fools repeating their folly but as disciples growing in righteousness.

“Like a dog that returns to its vomit
Is a fool who repeats his foolishness.”