Proverbs 26:1-28 GNT

[1] Praise for a fool is out of place, like snow in summer or rain at harvest time. [2] Curses cannot hurt you unless you deserve them. They are like birds that fly by and never light. [3] You have to whip a horse, you have to bridle a donkey, and you have to beat a fool. [4] If you answer a silly question, you are just as silly as the person who asked it. [5] Give a silly answer to a silly question, and the one who asked it will realize that he's not as smart as he thinks. [6] If you let a fool deliver a message, you might as well cut off your own feet; you are asking for trouble. [7] A fool can use a proverb about as well as crippled people can use their legs. [8] Praising someone who is stupid makes as much sense as tying a stone in a sling. [9] A fool quoting a wise saying reminds you of a drunk trying to pick a thorn out of his hand. [10] An employer who hires any fool that comes along is only hurting everybody concerned. [11] A fool doing some stupid thing a second time is like a dog going back to its vomit. [12] The most stupid fool is better off than those who think they are wise when they are not. [13] Why don't lazy people ever get out of the house? What are they afraid of Lions? [14] Lazy people turn over in bed. They get no farther than a door swinging on its hinges. [15] Some people are too lazy to put food in their own mouths. [16] A lazy person will think he is smarter than seven men who can give good reasons for their opinions. [17] Getting involved in an argument that is none of your business is like going down the street and grabbing a dog by the ears. [18] Someone who tricks someone else and then claims that he was only joking is like a crazy person playing with a deadly weapon. [20] Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, quarreling stops. [21] Charcoal keeps the embers glowing, wood keeps the fire burning, and troublemakers keep arguments alive. [22] Gossip is so tasty! How we love to swallow it! [23] Insincere talk that hides what you are really thinking is like a fine glaze on a cheap clay pot. [24] A hypocrite hides hate behind flattering words. [25] They may sound fine, but don't believe him, because his heart is filled to the brim with hate. [26] He may disguise his hatred, but everyone will see the evil things he does. [27] People who set traps for others get caught themselves. People who start landslides get crushed. [28] You have to hate someone to want to hurt him with lies. Insincere talk brings nothing but ruin.