¶ As snow in summer¹, and as rain in harvest, so² honour is not seemly for a fool.

¶ As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so³ the curse causeless shall not come.

¶⁴A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.

¶ Answer not a fool⁵ according to his folly, lest⁶ thou also be like unto him.

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

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

The legs of the lame are not equal: so¹² is a parable in the mouth of fools.

¹³As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

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

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

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

¶²⁰Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

¶²¹The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

¶ As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful²² upon his bed.

¶²⁴The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.

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

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

¶ As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and²⁸ death,

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

¶³¹Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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