3. A whip for the horse,A bridle for the donkey,And a rod for the fool’s back.
4. Do not answer a fool according to his folly,Lest you also be like him.
5. Answer a fool according to his folly,Lest he be wise in his own eyes.
6. He who sends a message by the hand of a foolCuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
7. Like the legs of the lame that hang limpIs a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8. Like one who binds a stone in a slingIs he who gives honor to a fool.
9. Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkardIs a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10. The great God who formed everythingGives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages.
11. As a dog returns to his own vomit,So a fool repeats his folly.
12. Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13. The lazy man says, “There is a lion in the road!A fierce lion is in the streets!”
14. As a door turns on its hinges,So does the lazy man on his bed.
15. The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl;It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.
16. The lazy man is wiser in his own eyesThan seven men who can answer sensibly.
17. He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his ownIs like one who takes a dog by the ears.