16. The sluggard is wiser in his own conceitthan seven men who can answer reasonably.
17. He who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to himis like one who takes a dog by the ears.
18. As a madman who castsfirebrands, arrows, and death,
19. so is the man who deceives his neighbor,and says, “I was only joking.”
20. Where there is no wood, the fire goes out;so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceases.
21. As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire,so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22. The words of a talebearer are as wounds,and go down into the innermost parts of the body.
23. Burning lips and a wicked heartare like earthenware covered with silver dross.