As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly.
Parallel translations
- KJV As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
- BSB As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.
- NKJV As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly.
- NASB Like a dog that returns to its vomit, So is a fool who repeats his foolishness.
- NLT As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
A fool repeating his folly is as revolting as a dog returning to its vomit. Persisting in foolishness is degrading.
Overview
The graphic image exposes how the fool, unchanged by consequences, cycles back to his sin. Peter quotes this to describe those who, having known the truth, return to corruption (2 Pet 2:22). It underscores the need for genuine, Spirit-wrought repentance that breaks the cycle rather than mere temporary reform.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 3
- 2 Pet 2:22But it has happened to them according to the true proverb, “The dog turns to his own vomit again,” and “the sow that has washed to wallowing in the mire.”
- Matt 12:45Then he goes, and takes with himself seven other spirits more evil than he is, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first. Even so will it be also to this evil generation.”
- Exod 8:15But when Pharaoh saw that there was a respite, he hardened his heart, and didn’t listen to them, as Yahweh had spoken.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 26:11 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.