Proverbs 26:5
Give a foolish man a foolish answer, or he will seem wise to himself.
Bible in Basic English
In The King James Version
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
In Context
4Do not give to the foolish man a foolish answer, or you will be like him.
6He who sends news by the hand of a foolish man is cutting off his feet and drinking in damage.
Cross References
Proverbs 3:7Put no high value on your wisdom: let the fear of the Lord be before you, and keep yourself from evil:
Proverbs 26:12Have you seen a man who seems to himself to be wise? There is more hope for the foolish than for him.
Isaiah 5:21Cursed are those who seem wise to themselves, and who take pride in their knowledge!
Matthew 15:1Then there came to Jesus from Jerusalem Pharisees and scribes, saying,
Matthew 21:23And when he had come into the Temple, the chief priests and those in authority over the people came to him while he was teaching, and said, By what authority do you do these things? and who gave you this authority?
Luke 12:13And one of the people said to him, Master, give an order to my brother to make division of the heritage 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 →