14. The lazy person is like a door that turns back and forth on its hinges.He stays in bed and turns over and over.
15. The lazy person may put his hand in the dish.But he’s too tired to lift the food to his mouth.
16. The lazy person thinks he is wiserthan seven people who give sensible answers.
17. To grab a dog by the ears is asking for trouble.So is interfering in someone else’s quarrel if you’re just passing by.
18-19. A person shouldn’t trick his neighborand then say, “I was just joking!”That is like a madman shootingdeadly, burning arrows.
20. Without wood, a fire will go out.And without gossip, quarreling will stop.
21. Charcoal and wood keep a fire going.In the same way, a quarrelsome person keeps an argument going.
22. The words of a gossip are like tasty bits of food.People take them all in.
23. Kind words from a wicked mindare like a shiny coating on a clay pot.
24. A person who hates you may fool you with his words.But in his mind he is planning evil.
25. His words are kind, but don’t believe him.His mind is full of evil thoughts.
26. He hides his hate with lies.But his evil will be plain to everyone.