Proverbs 26:8-12

Proverbs 26:8-12English Standard Version
​8 Like one who binds the stone in the sling
    is one who gives honor to a fool.
9 Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard
    is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 Like an archer who wounds everyone
    is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.
11 Like a dog that returns to his vomit
    is a fool who repeats his folly.
12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes?
    There is more hope for a fool than for him.

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Just like a stone bound to the sling is worthless, so is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.  It serves no useful purpose.  In fact, Solomon says that when a fool tries to speak proverbs, he may actually cause pain and harm--like when a drunk man can't think clearly and sticks his hand into a thorn bush.  The fool's words are instead like the piercing arrows of an archer who does not aim for a particular target and is content to fire for effect and hit everyone both friend and foe.  Such a person is a danger to everyone and would be pulled from service.

The one hiring workers (even as day laborers) should be careful not to hire fools or drunkards that would engage in foolishness and cause nothing but destruction and harm.  They are a danger to everyone around them.  They do not learn from their foolishness to stop doing it.  They are instead like a dog that keeps coming back to its vomit.  Though it should be putrid and disgusting, the dog cannot help but keep returning to it.  So it is with a a fool and his folly.

Is there anything worse than a fool?  Solomon says the man who proclaims himself to be wise in his own eyes is worse than the fool.  At least the fool knows he is foolish, but this man thinks he is wise and has nothing to learn.  In fact, others also will often imagine such a man is wise (he is usually highly educated) and he may teach his foolishness to others.  Watch out for such people who are all around us and proclaim themselves to be experts.  Many are not to be trusted.