1. It isn't proper to honor a foolish person. That's like having snow in summer or rain at harvest time.
2. A curse given for no reason is like a wandering bird or a flying sparrow. It doesn't go anywhere.
3. A whip is for a horse. A harness is for a donkey. And a beating is for the backs of foolish people.
4. Don't answer a foolish person in keeping with his foolish acts. If you do, you will be like him yourself.
5. Answer a foolish person in keeping with his foolish acts. If you do, he won't be wise in his own eyes.
6. Sending a message in the hand of a foolish person is like cutting off your feet or drinking something harmful.
7. A proverb in the mouth of a foolish person is like disabled legs that are useless.
8. Giving honor to a foolish person is like tying a stone in a slingshot.
9. A proverb in the mouth of a foolish person is like a thorn in the hand of someone who is drunk.
10. Anyone who hires a foolish person or someone who is passing by is like a person who shoots arrows at just anybody.
11. A foolish person who does the same foolish things again is like a dog that returns to where it has thrown up.
12. Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a foolish person than for him.