Proverbs 26:5
Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit.
Noyes Bible
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 become like to him.
6He cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage, Who sendeth a message by the hand of a fool.
Cross References
Proverbs 3:7Be not wise in thine own eyes; Fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
Proverbs 26:12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
Isaiah 5:21Woe to them that are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own conceit!
Matthew 15:1Then come to Jesus Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem, saying,
Matthew 21:23And when he had come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? And who gave thee this authority?
Luke 12:13And one from the multitude said to him, Teacher, bid my brother 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 →