1
As snow in summer and rain at harvest time,
so honor is not fitting for a fool.
2
Like a fluttering sparrow and a flying swallow,
so an undeserved curse does not come to rest.
3
A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
and a rod for the back of fools.
4
Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
lest you yourself become like him.
5
Answer a fool according to his folly,
lest he think himself wise.
6
Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool
cuts off his own feet and drinks harm.
7
A proverb in the mouth of a fool
is like a lame man’s dangling legs.
8
Like one who binds a stone in a sling,
so is he who gives honor to a fool.
9
A proverb in the mouth of a fool
is like a thorn that pierces the hand of a drunkard.
10
Like an archer who wounds everyone,
is one who hires a fool and passersby.
11
As a dog returns to its vomit,
so a fool repeats his folly.
12
Do you see a man who thinks himself wise?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13
The lazy man says, “There is a lion in the road!
There is a lion in the streets!”
14
As a door turns on its hinges,
so the lazy man on his bed.
15
The lazy man dips his hand in the dish,
but is too weary to bring it back to his mouth.
16
The lazy man thinks himself wiser
than seven men who answer with good sense.
17
One who meddles in another’s quarrel
is like one who grabs a passing dog by the ears.
18
Like a madman shooting
firebrands, arrows, and death,
19
so is the one who deceives his neighbor
and says, “I was only joking.”
20
When the wood is gone, the fire goes out;
when there is no slanderer, strife dies down.
21
As charcoal for hot coals and wood for fire,
so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.
22
The words of a slanderer are like dainty morsels
that go down into the inner parts.
23
Like a potsherd covered with silver dross
are smooth lips with an evil heart.
24
One who hates disguises himself with his lips,
but in his heart he stores up deceit.
25
Though he speaks kindly, do not trust him,
for seven abominations are in his heart.
26
Though his hatred is covered with deceit,
his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27
Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,
and whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
28
A lying tongue hates those it wounds,
and a smooth mouth brings ruin.
🌀🐶🔥 Summary of Proverbs 26 – The Fool, the Sluggard, the Troublemaker, and the Evil Tongue
Proverbs 26 sharply describes various kinds of people to avoid: the fool, the sluggard, the boaster, and the troublemaker. This chapter is a warning not to enter into a useless cycle of argument and not to fall into the same folly again and again.
📌 1. Honor Is Not Fit for a Fool (verses 1–12)
“As snow in summer… so is honor for a fool.”
- A fool cannot be trusted
- Entrusting tasks or praise to them only brings ruin
- Do not answer folly with folly:
“Answer a fool according to his folly… do not answer according to his folly…” (verses 4–5)
🎯 Wisdom is needed to know when to speak and when to be silent.
📌 2. The Fool Repeats Sin (verse 11)
“As a dog returns to its vomit…”
- A harsh picture of one who knows the truth, yet still returns to folly
- To know but not change = useless
🎯 Knowledge without repentance = a repetition of failure.
📌 3. The Sluggard and a Thousand Excuses (verses 13–16)
“The sluggard says: There is a lion in the road!”
- The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven wise counselors
- Nothing is more misleading than laziness wrapped in excuses.
🎯 Laziness = a silent killer of potential.
📌 4. The Danger of the Troublemaker & Evil Tongue (verses 17–28)
“One who passes by and meddles in a quarrel that is not his own is like one who takes hold of a dog’s ears.”
- Stirring up strife = like throwing embers and wood onto a fire → the fire grows larger
- A smooth tongue hides an evil heart
- A person who pretends friendship may be preparing a trap
🎯 Slander, sarcasm, and pretense are deceitful weapons that must be avoided.
📖 Main Teaching
- Do not give honor or responsibility to a fool
- Laziness creates false excuses and makes one spiritually paralyzed
- The wise know when to answer and when to be silent
- An unchecked tongue can damage community, family, and ministry
- Slander and incitement are hidden forms of violence
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
“A dog returns to its vomit” — Peter directly quotes Proverbs 26:11 to describe believers who return to sin.
“Avoid foolish disputes… a divisive person… you should avoid him.”
“Let no corrupt word come out of your mouth…”
“The tongue is like a fire…”
🎯 Proverbs 26 shows that spiritual maturity is seen in the way one speaks, the way one works, and the way one responds to conflict.
🕊️ “Like snow in summer, so is honor for a fool.” – Proverbs 26:1
🕊️ “Answer a fool according to his folly…” – Proverbs 26:5
🕊️ “As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.” – Proverbs 26:11
🕊️ “The lazy man says: ‘There is a lion in the road!’” – Proverbs 26:13
🕊️ “A troublemaker stirs up strife…” – Proverbs 26:20
🕊️ “Smooth lips hide an evil heart…” – Proverbs 26:24
