Proverbs 26:5
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
A Conservative Version
In The King James Version
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
In Context
4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like to him.
6He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet, [and] drinks injury.
Cross References
Proverbs 3:7Be not wise in thine own eyes. Fear LORD, and depart from evil.
Proverbs 26:12See thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope for a fool than of him.
Isaiah 5:21Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
Matthew 15:1Then scholars and Pharisees from Jerusalem come to Jesus, saying,
Matthew 21:23And when he came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him while he taught, saying, By what authority do thou these things? And who gave thee this authority?
Luke 12:13And a certain man out of the crowd said to him, Teacher, speak to my brother to divide the inheritance with me.
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 26:5-6
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. See here the noble security of the scripture-style, which seems to contradict itself, but really does not. Wise men have need to be directed how to deal with fools; and they have never more need of wisdom than in dealing with such, to know when to keep silence and when to speak, for there may be a time for both. 1. In some cases a wise man will not set his wit to… Read the whole commentary →