Thomson(i)
1 As dew at the ingathering of fruit and as rain in harvest: so is honour for a fool.
2 As birds and ostriches fly away; so a vain curse will not light on any one.
3 As a whip for a horse and a goad for an ass; so is a scourge for a sinful nation.
4 Answer not a fool conformably to his folly; let thou become like him.
5 But answer a fool according to his folly; that he may not think himself wise.
6 He who sendeth a message by a foolish messenger; by his own ways procureth disgrace.
7 As well take walking from the legs; as transgression from the mouth of fools.
8 He who bindeth a stone in a sling is like him who giveth honour to a fool.
9 Thorns stick in the hands of a drunken man; and slavery in the hand of fools.
10 All the flesh of fools is in a tempest: for their soundest sleep is broken.
11 As a dog becometh odious when he returneth to his vomit; so is a fool for his wickedness, when he returneth to his sin. There is a shame which leadeth to sin: and a shame which procureth glory and honour.
12 I have seen a man who thought himself wise: but there was more hope of a fool than of him.
13 A slothful man sent on a journey saith, There is a lion in the way and murderers in the streets.
14 As a door turneth on its hinges so doth a slothful man on his bed.
15 A slothful man having hid his hand in his bosom cannot bring it out to his mouth.
16 A slothful man thinketh himself wiser than him who in plenty carrieth a message.
17 He who meddleth with another's strife, is like one who taketh a dog by the tail.
18 As they who undertake to cure throw out words for men; and he who falleth in with the proposal will be first supplanted;
19 so all who ensnare their friends, when they are found out say, "I did it in sport."
20 By much fuel a fire is nourished: but where there is no stirrer up of quarrels, contention ceaseth.
21 A hearth is for coals and fuel for fire: and a contentious man for the bustle of strife.
22 The words of the crafty are soft: but they pierce the inmost recesses of the soul.
23 Silver given with deceit, should be accounted as a potsherd. Smooth lips disguise a wicked heart.
24 A weeping enemy assenteth to every thing with his lips: but in his heart he contriveth deceit.
25 Though an enemy intreat thee with a loud voice, believe him not: for in his heart there is seven fold wickedness.
26 He who concealeth enmity practiseth deceit; but being found out he discloseth his sins in publick assemblies.
27 May he who diggeth a pit for his neighbour fall into it; and he who rolleth a stone, roll it on himself.
28 A lying tongue hateth truth; and a flattering mouth Worketh ruin.