¹² Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

⁹ Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

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 mouths 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.