Proverbs 26:11 - As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly.
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What does "Proverbs 26:11" mean?
This proverb uses a vivid and somewhat repulsive image to illustrate the nature of foolishness. Let's break down the meaning:
"As a dog that returns to his vomit..." This is the shocking part. Dogs sometimes, for reasons we might not fully understand, will regurgitate food and then eat it again. This is considered a disgusting and unnatural act.
"...so is a fool who repeats his folly." This draws a direct parallel. Just like the dog returning to its vomit, a fool stubbornly repeats their mistakes or foolish behavior.
The core meaning is this:
Fools don't learn from their mistakes. They might experience negative consequences, even feel sick or regretful (like the dog's upset stomach), but they don't internalize the lesson.
They are stuck in a destructive cycle. They repeat the same actions that lead to the same undesirable outcomes, showing a lack of wisdom and self-awareness.
It emphasizes the disgusting and undesirable nature of foolishness. The graphic imagery is meant to drive home the point that repeating foolish behavior is not just unproductive, it's inherently distasteful and repellent.
In essence, the proverb warns against the stubborn refusal to learn from past errors, portraying it as a disgusting and self-defeating pattern of behavior. It encourages self-reflection, learning from mistakes, and striving for wisdom to avoid repeating harmful or foolish actions.
Proverbs 26:11 - As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly.
What does "Proverbs 26:11" mean?
This proverb uses a vivid and somewhat repulsive image to illustrate the nature of foolishness. Let's break down the meaning:
"As a dog that returns to his vomit..." This is the shocking part. Dogs sometimes, for reasons we might not fully understand, will regurgitate food and then eat it again. This is considered a disgusting and unnatural act.
"...so is a fool who repeats his folly." This draws a direct parallel. Just like the dog returning to its vomit, a fool stubbornly repeats their mistakes or foolish behavior.
The core meaning is this:
Fools don't learn from their mistakes. They might experience negative consequences, even feel sick or regretful (like the dog's upset stomach), but they don't internalize the lesson.
They are stuck in a destructive cycle. They repeat the same actions that lead to the same undesirable outcomes, showing a lack of wisdom and self-awareness.
It emphasizes the disgusting and undesirable nature of foolishness. The graphic imagery is meant to drive home the point that repeating foolish behavior is not just unproductive, it's inherently distasteful and repellent.
In essence, the proverb warns against the stubborn refusal to learn from past errors, portraying it as a disgusting and self-defeating pattern of behavior. It encourages self-reflection, learning from mistakes, and striving for wisdom to avoid repeating harmful or foolish actions.