As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.
Parallel translations
- WEB As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly.
- 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.
- 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 2:22Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.”
- Matt 12:45Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and dwell there; and the final plight of that man is worse than the first. So will it be with this wicked generation.”
- Exod 8:15When Pharaoh saw that there was relief, however, he hardened his heart and would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said.
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.