5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own opinion. 6 Like cutting off the feet or drinking violence, so is sending a message by the hand of a fool. 7 Like legs dangle uselessly from the lame, so a proverb dangles in the mouth of fools. 8 Like tying a stone in a sling, so is giving honor to a fool. 9 Like a thorn has gone up into the hand of a drunkard, so a proverb has gone up into the mouth of a fool.

17 How many will ridicule him, and how often! 18 A slip on the pavement is better than a slip of the tongue; the downfall of the wicked will occur just as speedily. 19 A coarse person is like an inappropriate story, continually on the lips of the ignorant. 20 A proverb from a fool's lips will be rejected, for he does not tell it at the proper time. 21 One may be prevented from sinning by poverty; so when he rests he feels no remorse.