Proverbs chapter 26

English Standard Version

1Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool. 2Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight. 3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools. 4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes. 6Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence. 7Like a lame man 's legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools. 8Like one who binds the stone in the sling is one who gives honor to a fool. 9Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools. 10Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard. 11Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly. 12Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. 13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!" 14As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed. 15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth. 16The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly. 17Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears. 18Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death 19is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "I am only joking!" 20For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases. 21As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. 22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. 23 Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart. 24Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; 25 when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart; 26though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. 27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling. 28A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.

What does Proverbs chapter 26 mean?

This chapter begins with a series of blunt criticisms of a "fool." In the book of Proverbs, this means one who has rejected God's wisdom, common sense, and truth (Proverbs 1:7). The term "fool" appears in all but one of the first twelve verses. These lessons warn against giving such persons authority or power, notes their resistance to correction, and points out the difference between "repeating" wisdom and "using" it appropriately. Just because someone can recite wise sayings does not mean they know how to apply wisdom. Two verses in this section suggest opposite responses to foolishness, depending on the situation (Proverbs 26:1–12).

Next is a section of proverbs referring to laziness. This uses the term "sluggard," meaning a person lacking energy, or carelessly lazy. An exaggerated criticism pictures the person as so lazy they can't even bring food to their mouth. These proverbs note that people will often make outrageous excuses for their lack of effort. That includes ignoring reason to justify why they are not meeting their obligations. This is not only lazy, but it's also a form of arrogance (Proverbs 26:13–16).

The final segment of the chapter gives godly advice about conflict. Getting involved in someone else's dispute is like grabbing a stray dog by the ears: risky and not to be done without an extremely good reason. False accusations cause damage, so claiming "I didn't mean it" afterwards doesn't undo the harm. Gossip and slander are tempting, but they fuel conflict as much as wood does a fire. How and when a person chooses to speak has a major impact on how an argument will affect them. Solomon also advises caution about those who disguise evil intent with attractive words.

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Book Summary
Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.

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Chapter Context
Chapter 25 introduced another section of Solomon's proverbs (Proverbs 25:1). These were collected by later scribes; the list runs through the end of chapter 29. This chapter covers topics such as foolishness, laziness, and conflict. This echoes principles given in other proverbs.

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