DON’T BE A FOOL 

Proverbs 26:1-12 / Keywords 26:12

Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

26:1 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,

    honor is not fitting for a fool.

2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow,

    an undeserved curse does not come to rest.

3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,

    and a rod for the backs of fools!

4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,

    or you yourself will be just like him.

5 Answer a fool according to his folly,

    or he will be wise in his own eyes.

6 Sending a message by the hands of a fool

    is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.

7 Like the useless legs of one who is lame

    is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.

8 Like tying a stone in a sling

    is the giving of honor to a fool.

9 Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand

    is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.

10 Like an archer who wounds at random

    is one who hires a fool or any passer-by.

11 As a dog returns to its vomit,

    so fools repeat their folly.

12 Do you see a person wise in their own eyes?

    There is more hope for a fool than for them.

1. This passage warns us against fools. When we rely on our sinful nature, we become foolish so quickly. We can’t discern who around us is a fool, nor that their ways will lead to trouble and disaster. Rather, when dealing with foolish people, we should let them receive God’s discipline. We should not stoop down to their level and argue with them. Moreover, don’t choose a foolish person to send an important message, don’t expect a fool to understand wisdom even though you try to teach them, and don’t hire a fool or a drunkard. There are so many ways that we let our guard down and suffer when we rely on fools. 

2. Do you see a man who’s wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. Sometimes, we are the most foolish people because we become stuck, and we think we know it all. This was the devil and his angels’ mistake. We should always be growing, learning, repenting, and gaining wisdom to be a better version of what we were yesterday. This protects us from becoming fools with no hope. 

Prayer Father, thank you for giving me wisdom to avoid foolish people and their ways. Help me to learn from your words and imitate wise people. 

One Word Don’t rely on fools, nor become foolish