Chapter 26
Themes, discussion questions, Christ connections, and denomination lenses.
Just read this chapter →Scripture
KJV1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
2As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
7The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
11As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
13The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
17He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
19So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
20Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
21As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
25When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
27Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
28A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
“Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.”
Overview
Solomon delivers a masterful collection of proverbs about fools, sluggards, and troublemakers. He warns against answering a fool according to his folly and also according to his folly — an apparent contradiction that teaches the need for discernment in every situation. The sluggard is lampooned with biting humor as one who turns on his bed like a door on hinges. The chapter closes with warnings about deceitful flattery and hatred hidden by lying lips.
Key Themes
The Portrait of the Fool
Honor is not fitting for a fool — a proverb in his mouth is like a thorn in a drunkard's hand, and sending a message by a fool is like cutting off one's own feet.
The Sluggard's Self-Deception
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men who can render a reason — his laziness is clothed in elaborate excuses and self-satisfied delusion.
Hidden Hatred and Deceitful Speech
Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross — flattering speech can disguise murderous intentions, and hidden hatred eventually comes to light.
Study Questions
How do verses 4-5 — 'answer not a fool' and 'answer a fool' — both hold true simultaneously? What discernment is required?
What makes the sluggard's self-deception so dangerous — being 'wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason' (v. 16)?
How does the image of a 'potsherd covered with silver dross' (v. 23) describe people whose outward speech conceals inner wickedness?
Why does Solomon use humor (vv. 14-15) to describe the sluggard? What role does satire play in teaching wisdom?
What does verse 27 — 'whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein' — teach about the boomerang nature of evil schemes?
Connection to Christ
Jesus demonstrated perfect discernment in dealing with fools and scorners — He knew when to answer and when to remain silent. He saw through the silver-covered potsherds of the Pharisees' hypocrisy and exposed their hidden hatred. Christ is the embodiment of truth who cannot be deceived by flattering lips, and He calls all who follow Him to speak the truth in love.
Personal Reflection
Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through Proverbs 26. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?