Similitudes and Instructions

1Lyke as snowe is not meete in sommer and rayne in haruest: euen so is worship vnseemely for a foole.

2As the byrde and the swalowe take their flight and flee here and there: so the curse that is geuen in vayne, shall not light vpon a man.

3Unto the horse belongeth a whip, to the asse a brydle: and a rod to the fooles backe.

4Geue not the foole an aunswere after his foolishnes, lest thou become like vnto him.

5But make the foole an aunswere to his foolishnesse, lest he be wyse in his owne conceipt.

6As he that cutteth of his messengers feete endamageth himselfe: so doth he that committeth a message to a foole.

7Like as in a lame man his legges are not equall: euen so is a parable in a fooles mouth.

8He that setteth a foole in hye dignitie, that is euen as if a man would bynde a stone in a sling.

9As is a thorne in the hande of a drunkarde: so is a parable in a fooles mouth.

10The mightie that fourmed al thinges, rewardeth the fooles & transgressours.

11Like as the dogge turneth agayne to his owne vomite: euen so a foole beginneth his foolishnes agayne afreshe.

12If thou seest a man that is wise in his owne conceipt: there is more hope in a foole, then in hym.

13The slouthfull saith, there is a lion in the way, and a lion in the middest of the streates.

14Like as the doore turneth about vpon the hynges: euen so doth the slouthfull walter him selfe in his bed.

15The slouthfull body thrusteth his hande into his bosome, and it greeueth hym to put it agayne to his mouth.

16The sluggarde thinketh him selfe wiser then seuen men that sit and teache.

17Who so goeth by and medleth with other mens strife: he is like one that taketh a dogge by the eares.

18As he that fayneth him selfe mad, casteth firebrandes, deadly arrowes and dartes:

19So doth a dissembler with his neighbour, and saith, am not I in sport?

20Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: euen so where the talebearer is taken away, there the strife ceasseth.

21As coles kindle heate, and wood the fire: euen so doth a brawling felowe stirre vp variaunce.

22A talebearers wordes are lyke men that strike with hammers, and they pearse the inwarde partes of the body.

23Burning lippes and a wicked heart, are like a potsharde couered with siluer drosse.

24An enemie wyll dissemble with his lippes, and layeth vp deceipt in his heart.

25But when he speaketh fayre, beleue hym not: for there are seuen abhominations in his heart.

26Hatred maye be couered by deceipt: but the malice therof shalbe shewed before the whole congregation.

27Who so diggeth vp a pit, shal fall therin: and he that rolleth vp a stone, it wyl returne vpon hym.

28A lying tongue hateth the afflicted: and a flattering mouth worketh mischiefe.