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.
LAZINESS AND COWARDICE
‘The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.’
Proverbs 26:13
I. There is a lion in the way!—In what way? I answer, In the way of life, of every life. Life, if it is to be a true life, is not an easy thing. The men who live for nobler objects than those of shameful selfishness, like St. Paul, will have to fight with wild beasts at Ephesus or elsewhere.
II. ‘There is a lion in the way.’—Yes, and not one, but many lions: (1) the lion of the world’s opposition and hatred; (2) the lion of our own fleshly nature, of our own physical and mental passions; (3) our ‘adversary the devil.’
III. These lions—the world, the flesh, and the devil—for all their seeming strength and ferocity and the passion in their throats, prove but cowardly beasts after all. But the slothful man not only says, ‘There is a lion in the way,’ but adds, ‘I shall be slain in the streets,’ and then in a reproachful and injured tone, ‘You well know that many have been so slain.’ Yes, it is quite true; they have been so slain; but to them, as to their Lord, through death and after death, if not in life, have come the glory and the victory.
—Dean Farrar.
Illustration
‘The sluggard is ever imagining difficulties. He sees lions where there is none (22:13). His only real difficulty is his own indolence. He would rather starve than put forth any exertion. Yet he is full of self-conceit. Wiser than seven men, the number of perfection.’
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.