Proverbs 26

King James Version

Full text for Proverbs Chapter 26

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

2¶ As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

3¶ A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.

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

5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

6¶ He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, [and] drinketh damage.

7The legs of the lame are not equal: so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools.

8As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so [is] he that giveth honour to a fool.

9[As] a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools.

10¶ The great [God] that formed all [things] both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.

11¶ As a dog returneth to his vomit, [so] a fool returneth to his folly.

12¶ Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? [there is] more hope of a fool than of him.

13¶ The slothful [man] saith, [There is] a lion in the way; a lion [is] in the streets.

14¶ [As] the door turneth upon his hinges, so [doth] the slothful upon his bed.

15¶ The slothful hideth his hand in [his] bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.

16¶ The sluggard [is] wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

17¶ He that passeth by, [and] meddleth with strife [belonging] not to him, [is like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.

18¶ As a mad [man] who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,

19So [is] the man [that] deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

20¶ Where no wood is, [there] the fire goeth out: so where [there is] no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

21[As] coals [are] to burning coals, and wood to fire; so [is] a contentious man to kindle strife.

22The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

23¶ Burning lips and a wicked heart [are like] a potsherd covered with silver dross.

24¶ He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;

25When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for [there are] seven abominations in his heart.

26[Whose] hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the [whole] congregation.

27¶ Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.

28¶ A lying tongue hateth [those that are] afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Proverbs 26 warns against the folly of fools, stating that honor is unfitting for them and they are prone to repeat their mistakes. The chapter also condemns slothfulness, portraying the lazy person as full of excuses and self-conceit. Furthermore, it addresses the dangers of strife, talebearing, and deceit, emphasizing that hidden hatred and malicious actions ultimately lead to self-destruction.

Medium Summary

Proverbs 26 offers a series of vivid comparisons to illustrate the nature and consequences of folly, sloth, and deceit. It asserts that honor is as unseemly for a fool as snow in summer, and that a fool, like a dog, will return to his own folly. The chapter presents a paradox regarding how to answer a fool, advising both against and for it depending on the context, to prevent becoming like them or allowing them to be wise in their own conceit. It also sharply criticizes the slothful, who invent excuses and are too lazy to act, yet imagine themselves wiser than others. The proverbs further caution against meddling in others' quarrels and highlight the destructive power of talebearing, which fuels contention and inflicts deep wounds. Finally, the chapter exposes the treachery of hidden hatred and deceitful lips, concluding that those who devise harm for others will ultimately fall into their own traps.

Long Summary

Proverbs 26 employs a rich tapestry of similes and maxims to delineate the characteristics and perils associated with fools, the slothful, and those who sow discord and practice deceit. The chapter begins by declaring that honor is as inappropriate for a fool as snow in summer, and that a causeless curse will not alight. It then presents the famous dilemma regarding how to engage with a fool, advising both to refrain from answering according to his folly (lest one become like him) and to answer according to his folly (lest he become wise in his own conceit). The text portrays the fool as an unreliable messenger and suggests that a parable in his mouth is as ineffective or harmful as a lame man's unequal legs or a thorn in a drunkard's hand. A central theme is the fool's repetitive nature, likened to a dog returning to its vomit, and the assertion that there is more hope for a fool than for one wise in his own conceit. The chapter then shifts its focus to the slothful man, depicting him as one who invents elaborate excuses, such as a lion in the streets, to avoid work. His inertia is compared to a door turning on its hinges, perpetually staying in place, and his laziness is so profound that he struggles even to bring his hand from his bosom to his mouth. Despite this idleness, the sluggard is portrayed as being excessively wise in his own estimation, more so than seven men who can offer sound reasons. Further proverbs address the dangers of strife and deceit. Meddling in another's quarrel is likened to taking a dog by the ears, inviting trouble. The destructive nature of a deceiver who claims his actions are merely sport is compared to a madman casting firebrands and arrows. The text emphasizes that strife ceases when talebearing is removed, but a contentious man actively kindles conflict, and a talebearer's words inflict deep, internal wounds. The chapter concludes by exposing the hypocrisy of burning lips with a wicked heart, and the treachery of one who dissembles hatred with fair words, warning that such hidden malice will eventually be revealed. It powerfully asserts that those who plot harm for others, by digging a pit or rolling a stone, will ultimately become victims of their own devices, and that lying tongues and flattering mouths lead to ruin.

Core Concepts

  • The Nature of a FoolA fool is deemed unfit for honor, as it is unnatural and unseemly. Like a dog returning to its vomit, a fool consistently reverts to their ingrained folly, demonstrating a lack of learning or change.
  • The Paradox of Answering a FoolThe chapter presents a dual instruction: do not answer a fool according to his folly to avoid becoming like him, yet answer him according to his folly to prevent him from being wise in his own estimation. This highlights the delicate balance in confronting foolishness.
  • The Slothful Man's Excuses and ConceitThe slothful person invents elaborate excuses for inaction, such as a lion in the street, and is characterized by extreme laziness. Despite their idleness, they are often wise in their own conceit, believing themselves superior to those who offer sound reasoning.
  • The Destructive Power of Strife and TalebearingMeddling in others' disputes is dangerous, and a contentious person actively kindles strife. The words of a talebearer are likened to wounds, penetrating deeply and perpetuating conflict, while the absence of a talebearer leads to the cessation of contention.
  • Deceit and Hidden HatredThe chapter warns against those who dissemble hatred with fair words, comparing their deceptive lips and wicked hearts to a potsherd covered with dross. Such hidden malice and deceit are ultimately destined to be exposed before the congregation.
  • Retribution for Malicious ActionsA fundamental principle is articulated: those who plot harm for others, such as digging a pit or rolling a stone, will inevitably suffer the very consequences they intended for their victims. Lying tongues and flattering mouths are also said to work ruin.