Proverbs Folly and Foolishness Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter:Verse)

Quote #10

The lazy person buries a hand in the dish, and will not even bring it back to the mouth. (NRSV 19:24)

A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. (KJV 19:24)

This is pretty straightforward—the lazy person is too lazy to even dive into gluttony with any gusto. And that, Shmoopers, is pretty lazy.

Quote #11

Do not be among winebibbers, or among gluttonous eaters of meat; for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe them with rags. (NRSV 23:20-21)

Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: for the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags. (KJV 23:20-21)

This is also rather straightforward: be moderate and modest in what you eat and drink. Maybe push back from the ol' dining table before you go in for thirdsies.

Quote #12

Do not answer fools according to their folly, or you will be a fool yourself. Answer fools according to their folly, or they will be wise in their own eyes. (NRSV 26:4-5)

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. (KJV 26:4-5)

These contradictory proverbs show that there's no good way to respond to fools, really—they're just that hard to deal with. Or, the approach you use with them needs to depend on the circumstances.