16. The sluggard is wiser in his own estimationthan seven people who respond with good sense.
17. Like one who grabs a wild dog by the ears,so is the person passing by who becomes furious over a quarrel not his own.
18. Like a madman who shootsfirebrands and deadly arrows,
19. so is a person who deceives his neighbor,and says, “Was I not only joking?”
20. Where there is no wood, a fire goes out,and where there is no gossip, contention ceases.
21. Like charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire,so is a contentious person to kindle strife.
22. The words of a gossip are like delicious morsels;they go down into a person’s innermost being.
23. Like a coating of glaze over earthenwareare fervent lips with an evil heart.
24. The one who hates others disguises it with his lips,but he stores up deceit within him.