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.