Proverbs 26King James Version
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. Two verses side by side that do not contradict so much as teach discernment. As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
Honor is unbecoming to a fool like snow in summer. A dog returns to its vomit; a fool returns to his folly. A series of 'like' comparisons map the anatomy of foolish behavior. The quarrelsome man is examined in detail. 'Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth' (verse 20). The flatterer's words are smooth but their heart is malicious.
Fools are not merely mistaken; they are patterned. Understanding the fool's patterns helps you avoid rewarding them or becoming one.
26:20: 'Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.' Removing the fuel source, not managing the flames, ends the conflict.
The Hezekiah editorial setting places these sayings in a court culture familiar with both sycophants and troublemakers. Distinguishing wisdom from foolishness was a survival skill in ancient courts.
Solomon's wisdom collected by Hezekiah's scribes. The fool (mentioned over twelve times), the sluggard, the flatterer, the talebearer as distinct behavioral types.
Chapter 26 is Proverbs' most sustained analysis of foolishness as a behavior pattern. The dog-and-vomit metaphor (verse 11), quoted in 2 Peter 2:22, remains one of the most arresting images in the Bible for the cyclical nature of destructive habits. The strife-ending fire metaphor (verse 20) is psychologically sound: conflict needs fuel.
For when someone's behavior keeps surprising you even though it has happened before. The chapter says: it isn't surprising; it's the pattern. Name it.
1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
2As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
4Answer 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.
6He 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.
9As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
11As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
13The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
17He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
19So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
20Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
21As 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.
23Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24He 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.
26Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
27Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
28A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.