Proverbs 27:3-4 (ESV)
3 A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty,
but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.
4 Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming,
but who can stand before jealousy?
The stone and sand weigh much, putting stress and strain on the one who chooses to carry them. The stone refers to an incredibly heavy rock, and the sand describes all the sand of the world’s beaches. The heaviness of these things is so immense that their burden is impossible to bear. Yet, the enticement of the fool is even more unbearable than these great weights.The fool will relentlessly wear down the righteous, as long as the upright allows his ridiculous influence. Anger and wrath are crushing as they vent their fury. But even more merciless is jealousy, which includes anger and wrath, but is driven by passion. The one who arouses jealousy in another is stupid. Have you ever been provoked by a foolish person? Maybe you’ve behaved in a way you later regretted because you were pushed to your limits. Be wise today, and keep your distance from fools. If you don’t, you’ll end up just like them.