Fools

Proverbs 26:1-12

“As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.” (Proverbs 26:1)

A fool receiving respect and praise can be as much of a problem as a snow storm in the middle of the summer or a flood right at harvest time.   Either can destroy the crops and a year’s work.

“As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.” (Proverbs 26:2)

Nothing happens purely by accident.  Though it may appear random, a bird comes to a place by flying, and an accident or disaster is a result of other actions and situations.  Something caused it to happen.

“A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.” (Proverbs 26:3)

The popping of a whip will get a horses attention, and the pressure from the bridle and bit will get that of a stubborn donkey.  Sometimes the only thing that gets a fool’s attention is a beating.  If it is painful enough he will try to avoid what caused him to receive it. 

“Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.  Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.” (Proverbs 26:4-5)

Sarcasm is often lost on fool so trying to make him see how stupid his idea was just makes you look stupid as well.  At the same time, treating his foolishness as if it were a good idea encourages him to think he is smart. 

“He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.” (Proverbs 26:6)

A person who sends a foolish person to do and important job puts himself at risk like a person swinging and axe to chop at what he is standing on or drinking a poisonous liquid.  He is probably going to hurt himself. 

“The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.” (Proverbs 26:7)

Just as a man with one leg shorter than the other haw a hard time walking a straight line, a fool has trouble figuring out the meaning of a parable or story meant to teach him. 

“As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool. (Proverbs 26:8)

In using a sling shot, the stone may fall out of the pocket before one is ready.  If you tie the pocket shut to keep that from happening, you won’t be able to release the stone at the proper time, defeating the point in using the sling.   Showing respect and deference to a fool encourages him to think what he is doing is good enough and make no effort to do better. 

“As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.” (Proverbs 26:9)

Just as the drunk man ignores the danger presented by a thorn and hurts himself, the fool ignores the lessons of a parable and gets himself into trouble. 

“The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.” (Proverbs 26:10)

God doesn’t make people wicked or dumb,  the same God who created us will reward the wicked for their sin and the fool for his stupidity. 

“As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.”  (Proverbs 26:11)

When a dog eats something that makes him vomit it up he will often go back and lick it up again, at the risk of making himself sick again.  In the same way, a fool will repeat the action that cause him trouble in hopes that it will work out better the second time.  As albert Einstein said, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results. 

“Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him. (Proverbs 26:12)

Even as many times as the fool may repeat the same mistake, there is more hope for him to succeed that there is for the man who is convinced he knows more than anybody else.  The fool might figure out it doesn’t work, but the conceited idiot will never admit he was wrong.