Proverbs 26:1-7

Proverbs 26:1-7English Standard Version
26 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,
    so honor is not fitting for a fool.
2 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,
    a curse that is causeless does not alight.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
    and a rod for the back of fools.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly,
    lest you be like him yourself.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly,
    lest he be wise in his own eyes.
6 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool
    cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
7 Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless,
    is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

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We don't expect snow in the middle of the summer, nor do we expect rain in the middle of fall once everything has become cool and dry (there are rare exceptions to both of these expectations, but they are good rules of thumb).  So it is that we should not expect a fool to act honorably.

There are nasty people who may curse you for no reason, and you can pay them and their nasty words no mind at all.  Such people need to learn to discipline themselves and bridle their tongues so that they will not need to disciplined by others and by the LORD for their foolishness.

The discerning man knows not to answer the fool.  If you do, the fool will start to imagine himself or herself wise if he or she draws the attention and answer of wise men.  Just simply ignore their foolishness.  It is not worth your time.

Do not trust a fool with the delivery of an important message.  It won't get there, and it will bring about trouble for you.  Last, but not least Solomon says that the fool cannot learn appreciate the wisdom of these proverbs.  Wisdom and understanding are given by the LORD.  The fool has neither, so we should not be surprised when they do not understand these simple principles of wisdom.