2. Don’t worry when someone curses you for no reason. Nothing bad will happen. Such words are like birds that fly past and never stop.
3. You have to whip a horse, you have to put a bridle on a mule, and you have to beat a fool.
6. Never let a fool carry your message. If you do, it will be like cutting off your own feet. You are only asking for trouble.
7. A fool trying to say something wise is like a crippled person trying to walk.
8. Showing honor to a fool is as bad as tying a rock in a sling.
9. A fool trying to say something wise is like a drunk trying to pick a thorn out of his hand.
18-19. Anyone who would trick someone and then say, “I was only joking” is like a fool who shoots flaming arrows into the air and accidentally kills someone.
20. Without wood, a fire goes out. Without gossip, arguments stop.
21. Charcoal keeps the coals glowing, wood keeps the fire burning, and troublemakers keep arguments alive.
22. People love to hear gossip. It is like tasty food on its way to the stomach.
23. Good words that hide an evil heart are like silver paint over a cheap, clay pot.
24. Evil people say things to make themselves look good, but they keep their evil plans a secret.
25. What they say sounds good, but don’t trust them. They are full of evil ideas.
26. They hide their evil plans with nice words, but in the end, everyone will see the evil they do.
27. Whoever digs a pit can fall into it. Whoever rolls a large stone can be crushed by it.
28. Liars hate the people they hurt, and false praise can hurt people.