Proverbs 26

Proverbs 26 contains several warnings and insights, especially focused on the folly of foolishness and the behavior of fools. It also includes thoughts on laziness, slander, and deceit. The proverbs in this chapter provide practical wisdom, cautioning against engaging with fools and highlighting the destructive nature of idle and malicious words.

Proverbs 26:1-5 (NKJV)
1 As snow in summer and rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.
2 Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, so a curse without cause shall not alight.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the fool's back.
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

Foolish people don’t deserve honor because it doesn’t suit their character, just as snow in summer or rain during harvest is unnatural and disruptive. Empty curses don’t have any real effect, like a bird that never lands. Fools are compared to animals that need harsh correction. Verses 4 and 5 offer a balanced approach to dealing with foolishness: sometimes it’s best not to engage with a fool to avoid becoming like them, but other times it’s necessary to correct them so they don’t think too highly of their own foolishness.

Proverbs 26:6-10 (NKJV)
6 He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
7 Like the legs of the lame that hang limp is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8 Like one who binds a stone in a sling is he who gives honor to a fool.
9 Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 The great God who formed everything gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages.

Trusting a fool with an important task is self-destructive, leading to harm and chaos. Just as a lame person’s legs are ineffective, so is wisdom when misused by a fool. Honoring a fool is as pointless as putting a stone in a sling that can’t be thrown. Proverbs used by fools are misapplied and cause harm, just like a thorn injuring someone who is unaware. In the end, God ensures that both fools and sinners face the consequences of their actions.

Proverbs 26:11-12 (NKJV)
11 As a dog returns to his own vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.
12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Fools are compared to dogs returning to their vomit, showing that they repeatedly make the same mistakes without learning from them. Worse than a fool, however, is someone who is self-righteous and thinks they are wise. Such a person is harder to correct because they don’t recognize their need for change, making their folly even more stubborn and entrenched.

Proverbs 26:13-16 (NKJV)
13 The lazy man says, "There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion is in the streets!"
14 As a door turns on its hinges, so does the lazy man on his bed.
15 The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl; it wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.
16 The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.

Laziness is portrayed with humor and vivid imagery. The lazy man makes ridiculous excuses to avoid work, claiming there’s a lion in the streets. Like a door stuck in one place, the lazy man can’t get out of bed. He’s so slothful that he’s exhausted by the simple task of feeding himself. Despite all this, he still sees himself as wise, more so than those who offer practical advice, highlighting the stubbornness of laziness and self-deception.

Proverbs 26:17 (NKJV)
17 He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a dog by the ears.

Interfering in other people’s arguments is compared to grabbing a dog by the ears, which is a dangerous and foolish act. It invites unnecessary trouble and conflict. Just as grabbing a dog would likely lead to being bitten, meddling in someone else’s business can lead to negative consequences.

Proverbs 26:18-19 (NKJV)
18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 is the man who deceives his neighbor, and says, "I was only joking!"

Deception is dangerous and destructive, likened to a madman recklessly throwing fire and weapons. Pretending it was just a joke after deceiving someone doesn’t lessen the harm caused. These verses warn that deceitful behavior can have serious consequences, and brushing it off as humor shows a lack of responsibility for one’s actions.

Proverbs 26:20-22 (NKJV)
20 Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.
21 As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, and they go down into the inmost body.

Just as a fire goes out without fuel, gossip and conflict die down when people stop spreading rumors. A contentious person, however, keeps strife alive, constantly adding fuel to the fire of conflict. Gossip may seem appealing, like a tasty treat, but it penetrates deeply and can cause lasting damage, both to relationships and to people’s reputations.

Proverbs 26:23-26 (NKJV)
23 Fervent lips with a wicked heart are like earthenware covered with silver dross.
24 He who hates, disguises it with his lips, and lays up deceit within himself;
25 When he speaks kindly, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart;
26 Though his hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.

These verses warn against trusting someone who speaks with passion but has a wicked heart. They may appear outwardly good, but like a cheap clay pot with a shiny covering, the truth is underneath. Those who harbor hatred may hide it behind kind words, but their true intentions will eventually be exposed, showing that deceit is only a temporary cover for evil.

Proverbs 26:27-28 (NKJV)
27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.
28 A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, and a flattering mouth works ruin.

These closing proverbs illustrate the principle of sowing and reaping. Those who set traps for others, either through deception or malice, will ultimately face the consequences of their own actions. Lies and flattery may seem advantageous in the short term, but they inevitably lead to ruin, both for the speaker and those they deceive.