When Folly Hides Behind Words, Laziness, and a Deceitful Heart.

Proverbs 26 is a sober warning against folly in its many forms: stubborn foolishness, lazy excuses, meddling in strife, gossip, deceit, flattering speech, and concealed hatred. The chapter shows that folly is not harmless weakness but a destructive force that distorts judgment, stirs conflict, and returns again and again to the same ruinous patterns. It also teaches discernment, especially in knowing when a fool should not be answered in his own manner and when he must be exposed so that his vanity is not strengthened. The chapter’s later verses turn strongly toward the danger of talebearing, false friendliness, and hidden malice, showing that sinful speech often carries a deeper corrupt heart beneath it. Taken as a whole, Proverbs 26 calls for wise restraint, sober discernment, honest speech, and a heart that refuses both laziness and deceit.

Proverbs 26:1 – 26:28

  1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
  2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
  3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
  4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
  5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
  6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, [and] drinketh damage.
  7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools.
  8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so [is] he that giveth honour to a fool.
  9 [As] a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools.
  10 The great [God] that formed all [things] both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
  11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, [so] a fool returneth to his folly.
  12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? [there is] more hope of a fool than of him.
  13 The slothful [man] saith, [There is] a lion in the way; a lion [is] in the streets.
  14 [As] the door turneth upon his hinges, so [doth] the slothful upon his bed.
  15 The slothful hideth his hand in [his] bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
  16 The sluggard [is] wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
  17 He that passeth by, [and] meddleth with strife [belonging] not to him, [is like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.
  18 As a mad [man] who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
  19 So [is] the man [that] deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
  20 Where no wood is, [there] the fire goeth out: so where [there is] no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
  21 [As] coals [are] to burning coals, and wood to fire; so [is] a contentious man to kindle strife.
  22 The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
  23 Burning lips and a wicked heart [are like] a potsherd covered with silver dross.
  24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
  25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for [there are] seven abominations in his heart.
  26 [Whose] hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the [whole] congregation.
  27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
  28 A lying tongue hateth [those that are] afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.