Proverbs chapter 26

vs 1

Honour and fools just don't belong together. Nuts and gum, chocolate and bacon. Of course, like snow in summer, they sometimes still happen.

vs 2

I'm not 100% on this, but I'm figuring that it's talking about when you curse someone who doesn't deserve it, and the stirred up feeling they get because it makes them feel like they've been hard done by. I think we've all been there.

vs 3

Now, for those who might feel using whips on animals is unnecessary, take heart - I believe the main purpose of this verse is to point out that fools need discipline, training and leading. I don't think we necessarily need to hit them with sticks.

Of course, be my guest.

vs 4

Okay, this verse and the next one are just in for a world of pain if you aren't prepared to accept that proverbs are not once-for-all truths.

So this one, for example, warns you not to get dragged into foolish argument. There are two modern versions of this parable that make their way around the Internet. One is "Don't argue with idiots. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience." The other is somewhat more offensive. But it's good to know that God's wisdom lives on.

vs 5

This is the stranger one, and I think you need to be fairly driven to apply it. It's so much easier to apply vs 4 - just bug out, it's none of your business, protect your own interests.

But some of us can't help but correct others when they are mistaken, and sometimes it's simply because we don't want them to think they're right. Because that's what this is about - fools thinking they're smarter or wiser than they are, because no-one corrects their misplaced assumptions. Just make sure you're right before following verse 5.

vs 6

So it's bad then? To the point of being crippling or deadly, apparently. I'm not sure if it's a matter of the importance of communication, or a matter of trust with information. Both seem important. Not sure what the focus is here though.

vs 7

The lame person has legs, they just don't work. Teaching a fool a proverb might give him the words, but not the useage. Perhaps this is what the beating stick is for?

vs 8

Pointless. Like loading a gun with cheese.

vs 9

I'm not sure here. Is the drunk going to hit you with it? Is he upset because it hurts? Yeah, I'm just not quite sure culturally what he's getting at here.