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Proverbs 26

28 verses

TL;DR

Proverbs 26 warns against foolishness, sloth, and deceit, showing how ignorance and false speech lead to personal ruin and social harm.

Summary

The chapter opens with similes illustrating the absurdity of honor given to a fool and the inevitable curses that befall the unwise. It then describes practical measures against fools, urging wise but measured responses rather than excessive retribution. The verses highlight the dangers of sloth, comparing a lazy person’s complaints to false alarms, and show how laziness invites calamity. A significant section condemns deceitful speech—talebearers, flattering mouths, and lying tongues—whose words wound deeply and ultimately bring shame. The chapter concludes with images of self‑sabotage: those who dig pits or roll stones inevitably fall, underscoring the principle that harmful actions return to the doer.

Outline
  1. 1. The folly of honoring fools and the natural consequences of foolishness.
  2. 2. The perils of slothfulness and the misleading complaints of the lazy.
  3. 3. The destructive power of deceitful speech and its eventual exposure.
Themes
Foolishness versus wisdomThe destructive nature of sloth and lazinessThe corrosive impact of deceitful speech
Keywords
foolslothtalebearerdeceitwordswisdomretributionconflictself‑sabotage
People
Places
Things
foolslothfultalebearerdeceitwordswhisperstone in a sling
Key Verses
  • Proverbs 26:4: Stresses that answering a fool with the same foolishness invites being seen as foolish.
  • Proverbs 26:20: Illustrates how the absence of gossip stops quarrels, showing the power of speech to fuel conflict.
  • Proverbs 26:27: Highlights that hidden hatred and deceit will ultimately be exposed before a community.
Questions
  • Why does the proverb advise against answering a fool in his own foolishness?
  • What parallels can be drawn between the slothful’s complaints and the spread of false information?
  • How does the chapter portray the long‑term consequences of deceitful speech?
  • In what ways do these verses inform modern attitudes toward conflict resolution?
Sentiment

neutral
The chapter presents cautionary observations without overt emotional tone.