Proverbs 26:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.

NIV: As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.

NASB: Like a dog that returns to its vomit, So is a fool who repeats his foolishness.

CSB: As a dog returns to its vomit, so also a fool repeats his foolishness.

NLT: As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness.

KJV: As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.

NKJV: As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly.

Earlier proverbs noted that wise people learn from observation, including their own failures (Proverbs 9:9; 19:25; 24:32). Those who lack godly wisdom and sense (Proverbs 1:7; 3:5–8) typically need to suffer more before they learn a lesson (Proverbs 14:3; 26:3). Even when actions lead to consequences, they may repeat the exact same mistakes. Solomon uses a nauseating illustration to make this point. Dogs should realize that whatever they ate made them sick, yet they are infamous for putting what's been expelled right back into their stomachs. People rightly find that disgusting, and wise people should be repelled at the idea of learning nothing from a mistake, only to repeat it.

Somehow, a fool keeps doing the very thing that harms him. This can lead to addiction and dependency which are then even harder to overcome. The apostle Peter applies this proverb to those who are warned about godly truth and turn back towards sin (2 Peter 2:21). He writes: "What the true proverbs says has happened to them: 'The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire'" (2 Peter 2:22).

Proverbs 26:1–12 is mostly a series of blunt, negative remarks about a "fool;" the word appears in all but one verse. In the book of Proverbs, a "fool" is one who rejects godly wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). The segment also includes a famous pair of statements which seem contradictory. Since verses 4 and 5 are written side-by-side, the implication is that there are times where one approach or the other is best. Generally, those who ignore God's truth (Proverbs 8:34–36) are dangerous and unreliable.

This chapter includes three main sections. The first repeatedly refers to a "fool," meaning someone lacking godly wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). The second warns against being lazy. The third condemns careless conflict, lying, and warns about those who disguise their hate with words. Several statements in this passage repeat or echo others made in the book of Proverbs.

Chapter 25 introduced another section of Solomon's proverbs (Proverbs 25:1). These were collected by later scribes; the list runs through the end of chapter 29. This chapter covers topics such as foolishness, laziness, and conflict. This echoes principles given in other proverbs.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.