Translations
Modern
Though you grind a fool like grain with mortar and a pestle, yet his folly will not depart from him.
Traditional
Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.
Literal
Though you may pound a fool in the mortar, in the midst of the grain with the pestle, his folly will not turn away from him.
Latin
Si contuderis stultum in pila quasi ptisanas feriente desuper pilo, non auferetur ab eo stultitia ejus.
Interlinear
Hebrew
English
Though you grind a fool like grain with mortar and a pestle, yet his folly will not depart from him.
Notes
A fool's character is full of foolishness.
Parallels
Glossary
Topics
Bray: To Pound Fools: Cling to Their Folly Mortar: An Instrument for Pulverizing Grain Punishments: Capital Kinds of Bruising in Mortars Wheat: Ground in a Mortar Wicked (People): Described