1 As dew in harvest, and as rain in summer, so honour is not seemly for a fool. 2 As birds and sparrows fly, so a curse shall not come upon any one without a cause. 3 As a whip for a horse, and a goad for an ass, so is a rod for a simple nation. 4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou become like him. 5 Yet answer a fool according to his folly, lest he seem wise in his own conceit. 6 He that sends a message by a foolish messenger procures for himself a reproach from his own ways. 7 As well take away the motion of the legs, as transgression from the mouth of fools. 8 He that binds up a stone in a sling, is like one that gives glory to a fool. 9 Thorns grow in the hand of a drunkard, and servitude in the hand of fools. 10 All the flesh of fools endures much hardship; for their fury is brought to nought.