Chapter Summary

Proverbs 26 is one of the most vivid and at times darkly humorous chapters in the book. Solomon has run out of patience with fools, and it shows. The chapter catalogs foolishness with almost relentless energy.

Verse 11 is one of the most blunt: as a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly. Peter quotes this verse in the New Testament. It has entered everyday language as a description of any pattern of self-destructive behavior that keeps repeating.

The chapter pivots from fools to gossips, and verse 20 is as true today as it was three thousand years ago: without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down. Remove the fuel and the fire ends.

All 28 Verses
Click any verse to reflect on its meaning
Related Bible Story
Miriam and Aaron's Gossip Against Moses
Numbers 12:1 to 15 · Old Testament

Miriam and Aaron's Gossip Against Moses

What happens when gossip reaches the ears of God
Connection to Proverbs 26

Miriam and Aaron's gossip reached God himself. Verse 22 says the words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. What they said went to the inmost parts of their own lives and cost them more than they anticipated. The nation stood still for a week because of their words.