Similitudes and Instructions

1As the snowe in the sommer, and as the raine in the haruest are not meete, so is honour vnseemely for a foole.

2As the sparowe by flying, and the swallow by flying escape, so the curse that is causeles, shall not come.

3Vnto the horse belongeth a whip, to the asse a bridle, and a rod to the fooles backe.

4Answer not a foole according to his foolishnes, least thou also be like him.

5Answere a foole according to his foolishnes, least he be wise in his owne conceite.

6He that sendeth a message by the hand of a foole, is as he that cutteth off the feete, and drinketh iniquitie.

7As they that lift vp the legs of the lame, so is a parable in a fooles mouth.

8As the closing vp of a precious stone in an heape of stones, so is he that giueth glory to a foole.

9As a thorne standing vp in the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fooles.

10The excellent that formed all things, both rewardeth the foole & rewardeth the transgressers.

11As a dog turneth againe to his owne vomit, so a foole turneth to his foolishnes.

12Seest thou a man wise in his owne conceite? more hope is of a foole then of him.

13The slouthfull man sayth, A lyon is in the way: a lyon is in the streetes.

14As the doore turneth vpon his hinges, so doeth the slouthfull man vpon his bed.

15The slouthfull hideth his hand in his bosome, and it grieueth him to put it againe to his mouth.

16The sluggard is wiser in his owne conceite, then seuen men that can render a reason.

17He that passeth by and medleth with the strife that belongeth not vnto him, is as one that taketh a dog by the eares.

18As he that faineth himselfe mad, casteth fire brands, arrowes, and mortall things,

19So dealeth the deceitfull man with his friend and sayth, Am not I in sport?

20Without wood the fire is quenched, and without a talebearer strife ceaseth.

21As ye cole maketh burning coles, & wood a fire, so the contentious man is apt to kindle strife.

22The wordes of a tale bearer are as flatterings, and they goe downe into the bowels of the belly.

23As siluer drosse ouerlayde vpon a potsheard, so are burning lips, and an euill heart.

24He that hateth, will counterfaite with his lips, but in his heart he layeth vp deceite.

25Though he speake fauourably, beleeue him not: for there are seuen abominations in his heart.

26Hatred may be couered by deceite: but the malice thereof shall be discouered in the congregation.

27He that diggeth a pit shal fall therein, and he that rolleth a stone, it shall returne vnto him.

28A false tongue hateth the afflicted, and a flattering mouth causeth ruine.