Study Desk

Like snow in summer or rain^(a) in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool.^(b)

Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.^(c)

A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,^(d) and a rod for the backs of fools!^(e)

Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.^(f)

Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.^(g)

Sending a message by the hands of a fool^(h) is like cutting off one's feet or drinking poison.

Like the useless legs of one who is lame is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.⁽ⁱ⁾

Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool.^(j)

Like a thornbush in a drunkard's hand is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.^(k)

Like an archer who wounds at random is one who hires a fool or any passer-by.

As a dog returns to its vomit,^(l) so fools repeat their folly.^(m)

Do you see a person wise in their own eyes?⁽ⁿ⁾ There is more hope for a fool than for them.^(o)

A sluggard says,^(p) "There's a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets!"^(q)

As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed.^(r)

A sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.^(s)

A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven people who answer discreetly.

Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.

Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death

is one who deceives their neighbor and says, "I was only joking!"

Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.^(t)

As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.^(u)

The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.^(v)

Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware are fervent^[a] lips with an evil heart.

Enemies disguise themselves with their lips,^(w) but in their hearts they harbor deceit.^(x)

Though their speech is charming,^(y) do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts.^(z)

Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

Whoever digs a pit^(aa) will fall into it;^(ab) if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.^(ac)

A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth^(ad) works ruin.

Do not boast^(a) about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.^(b)

Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.^(c)

Stone is heavy and sand^(d) a burden, but a fool's provocation is heavier than both.

Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?^(e)

Better is open rebuke than hidden love.

Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.^(f)

One who is full loathes honey from the comb, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.

Like a bird that flees its nest^(g) is anyone who flees from home.

Perfume^(h) and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.

Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family, and do not go to your relative's house when disaster⁽ⁱ⁾ strikes you— better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.

Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart;^(j) then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.^(k)

The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.^(l)

Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.^(m)

If anyone loudly blesses their neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse.

A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping⁽ⁿ⁾ of a leaky roof in a rainstorm;

restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand.

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit,^(o) and whoever protects their master will be honored.^(p)

As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart.^[a]

Death and Destruction^[b] are never satisfied,^(q) and neither are human eyes.^(r)

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,^(s) but people are tested by their praise.

Though you grind a fool in a mortar, grinding them like grain with a pestle, you will not remove their folly from them.

Be sure you know the condition of your flocks,^(t) give careful attention to your herds;

for riches do not endure forever,^(u) and a crown is not secure for all generations.

When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in,

the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field.

You will have plenty of goats' milk to feed your family and to nourish your female servants.