October 18, 2018: Day 68 – Proverbs 26

So we find ourselves once again on the doorstep of a proverb which teaches us how to act.  The fool is not to be trusted and what they say is to be regarded as chaff in the wind.  The fool thinks they are wise in their own mind, and think that all those around them should beckon to their calling.

He transitions from speaking out against the fool to speak out against the lazy person.  The lazy person refuses to leave their bed and says that there is imminent danger right outside the door so it would be foolish to leave the home.  The lazy person makes up stories in order to justify their position.  

From the lazy person to the gossiper the author states that the one who “whispers” is one whose words go all the way down into the soul of a person.  The danger of a whisperer, a gossiper,  is that what they say actually does affect the person and actually does make a difference in someone’s life.  The old saying: “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me,” simply is not true.

So, in all we can say that one should not be a fool, not be lazy, and not be a gossiper.  That’s pretty good counsel.