the power of context

in and of itself, Proverbs 26:12 is pretty pointed:

"do you see a man who is wise is in own eyes? there is more hope for a fool than for him."

however, when taken with the first 11 verses of the chapter, it becomes more like a sledgehammer!!!

"like snow in the summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.
like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight.
a whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.
answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.
answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
like a lame man's legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
like one who binds the stone in the sling is one who gives honor to a fool.
like a thorn in that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.
like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.
do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? there is more hope for a fool than for him."

*** o Lord, protect me from the dangerous pride of being wise in my own eyes!