Proverbs 26:6
He who sends news by the hand of a foolish man is cutting off his feet and drinking in damage.
Bible in Basic English
In The King James Version
He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
In Context
5Give a foolish man a foolish answer, or he will seem wise to himself.
Cross References
Proverbs 10:26Like acid drink to the teeth and as smoke to the eyes, so is the hater of work to those who send him.
Proverbs 25:13As the cold of snow in the time of grain-cutting, so is a true servant to those who send him; for he gives new life to the soul of his master.
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 →