³ A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,^(A)
and a rod for the backs of fools.^(B)
4 Don’t answer a fool according to his foolishness^(C)
or you’ll be like him yourself.
⁵ Answer a fool according to his foolishness^(D)
or he’ll become wise in his own eyes.^(E)
6 The one who sends a message by a fool’s hand^(F)
cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.^(G)
7 A proverb in the mouth of a fool
is like lame legs that hang limp.
⁸ Giving honor to a fool
is like binding a stone in a sling.^[a]
9 A proverb in the mouth of a fool
is like a stick with thorns,
brandished by^[b] the hand of a drunkard.
¹⁰ The one who hires a fool or who hires those passing by
is like an archer who wounds everyone.
¹¹ As a dog returns to its vomit,
so a fool repeats his foolishness.^(H)
12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes?^(I)
There is more hope for a fool than for him.^(J)