Proverbs 17:28
World English Bible
28 Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise.
When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
Proverbs 17:28
International Standard Version
28 Even a fool is thought to be wise when he remains silent;
he is thought to be prudent when he keeps his mouth shut.
Proverbs 18:2
World English Bible
2 A fool has no delight in understanding,
but only in revealing his own opinion.
Proverbs 18:2
International Standard Version
2 A fool finds no satisfaction in trying to understand,
for he would rather express his own opinion.
Proverbs 18:6-7
World English Bible
6 A fool’s lips come into strife,
and his mouth invites beatings.
7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction,
and his lips are a snare to his soul.
Proverbs 18:6-7
International Standard Version
6 A fool’s words[a] bring strife,
and his mouth invites fighting.
7 A fool’s mouth is his unraveling,
and his lips entrap himself.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 18:6 Lit. lips
Proverbs 19:1
World English Bible
19 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.
Proverbs 19:1
International Standard Version
The Priorities of Life Contrasted
19 A poor man who walks blamelessly is better
than a fool who speaks perversely.
Proverbs 19:10
World English Bible
10 Delicate living is not appropriate for a fool,
much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
Proverbs 19:10
International Standard Version
10 It’s not fitting for a fool to live in luxury;
neither is it for a servant to rule over princes.
Proverbs 19:29
World English Bible
29 Penalties are prepared for scoffers,
and beatings for the backs of fools.
Proverbs 19:29
International Standard Version
29 Condemnation is appropriate for mockers,
just as beatings are for the backs of fools.
Proverbs 20:3
World English Bible
3 It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife,
but every fool will be quarreling.
Proverbs 20:3
International Standard Version
3 Avoiding strife brings a man honor,
but every fool is quarrelsome.
Proverbs 23:9
World English Bible
9 Don’t speak in the ears of a fool,
for he will despise the wisdom of your words.
Proverbs 23:9
International Standard Version
9 Don’t speak when a fool is listening,
because he’ll despise your wise words.
Proverbs 24:7
World English Bible
7 Wisdom is too high for a fool.
He doesn’t open his mouth in the gate.
Proverbs 24:7
International Standard Version
7 Wisdom lies beyond reach of the fool;
he has nothing to say in court.[a]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 24:7 Lit. in the gate
Proverbs 26:1
World English Bible
26 Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest,
so honor is not fitting for a fool.
Proverbs 26:1
International Standard Version
On Fools
26 Like snowfall in summer or rain at harvest time,
so honor is inappropriate for a fool.
Proverbs 26:3-12
World English Bible
3 A whip is for the horse,
a bridle for the donkey,
and a rod for the back of fools!
4 Don’t 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.
6 One who sends a message by the hand of a fool
is cutting off feet and drinking violence.
7 Like the legs of the lame that hang loose,
so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 As one who binds a stone in a sling,
so is he who gives honor to a fool.
9 Like a thorn bush that goes into the hand of a drunkard,
so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 As an archer who wounds all,
so is he who hires a fool
or he who hires those who pass by.
11 As a dog that returns to his vomit,
so is a fool who repeats his folly.
12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Proverbs 26:3-12
International Standard Version
3 A whip is for the horses,
a bridle is for the donkey,
a rod is for the back of fools.
4 Don’t answer a fool according to his foolishness,
or you will be just like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his foolishness,
or he will think himself to be wise.
6 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool
cuts off his own[a] feet and drinks violence.
7 Useless legs to the lame—
that’s what a proverb quoted by a fool is.
8 Tying a stone to a sling—
that’s what giving honor to a fool is.
9 A thorn in the hand of a drunkard—
that’s what a proverb quoted by a fool is.
10 An archer who shoots at anyone—
is like someone who hires a fool or anyone who passes by.
11 A dog that returns to its vomit
is like a fool who reverts to his folly.
12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own opinion?
There’s more hope for a fool than for him.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 26:6 The Heb. lacks his own
Proverbs 27:3
World English Bible
3 A stone is heavy,
and sand is a burden;
but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.
Proverbs 27:3
International Standard Version
3 Rocks are heavy,
and sand is weighty,
but a fool’s provocation outweighs them both.
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