How To Handle A Fool

A fool might know a proverb, but not be able to use it correctly. It will be awkward and useless.

Proverbs 26:8NLT Honoring a fool is as foolish as tying a stone to a slingshot.

If you have ever used a slingshot you understand that the sling serves a purpose, and the stone serves a purpose. In other words, never honor a fool.

Proverbs 26:9NLT A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like a thorny branch brandished by a drunk.

Just as a drunk gets hurt by a thorny branch, so a proverbs misapplied by a fool may actually cause harm.

Proverbs 26:10NLT An employer who hires a fool or a bystander is like an archer who shoots at random.

An employer needs to know an employees, their work ethic, beliefs, goals, plans, and motivation. (Or he or she can do more harm than good.)

Proverbs 26:11NLT As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness.

A drunkard returns to his drink, a dog eats his own vomit, and a fool repeats his foolish ways.

Exodus 8:15NKJ But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not heed them, as the LORD had said.

II Peter 2:22NKJ But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”

Proverbs 26:12NLT There is more hope for fools than for people who think they are wise.

There are degrees of foolishness, with intellectual conceit being the most stupid and hard to remedy.

Luke 18:11-12NKJ The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’

Proverbs 26:13-16NLT The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion on the road! Yes, I’m sure there’s a lion out there!”14 As a door swings back and forth on its hinges, so the lazy person turns over in bed. 15 Lazy people take food in their hand but don’t even lift it to their mouth. 16 Lazy people consider themselves smarter than seven wise counselors.

Wisdom should always send the lazy person to learn from the ant.

The lazy (Fools) are considered ignorant. Therefore, they are ignorant of their ignorance.

Proverbs 26:17NLT Interfering in someone else’s argument is as foolish as yanking a dog’s ears.

To take a dog by the ears is to immediately create a disturbance.

Proverbs 26:18-19NLT Just as damaging as a madman shooting a deadly weapon 19 is someone who lies to a friend and then says, “I was only joking.”

Deceit cannot be dismissed as a joke.

Ephesians 5:3-5NCV But there must be no sexual sin among you, or any kind of evil or greed. Those things are not right for God's holy people.4 Also, there must be no evil talk among you, and you must not speak foolishly or tell evil jokes. These things are not right for you. Instead, you should be giving thanks to God.5 You can be sure of this: No one will have a place in the kingdom of Christ and of God who sins sexually, or does evil things, or is greedy. Anyone who is greedy is serving a false god.