Proverbs 26:4
Answer not a kesil (fool) according to his folly, 1 lest thou also be like unto him. 1
Orthodox Jewish Bible
In The King James Version
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
In Context
3A shot (whip) for the sus, a bridle for the chamor, 1 and a shevet for the back of kesilim. 1
5Answer a kesil (fool) according to his folly, 1 lest he be chacham in his own eyes. 1
Cross References
Judges 12:1And the ish Ephrayim gathered themselves together, and went into Tzafon, and said unto Yiftach, Wherefore passedst thou over to fight against the Bnei Ammon, and didst not call us to go with thee? We will burn thine bais upon thee with eish.
1 Kings 12:14And spoke to them according to atzat HaYeladim, saying, Avi made your ol (yoke) heavy, and I will add to your ol (yoke); Avi also scourged you with shotim (whips), but I will scourge you with akrabim.
2 Kings 14:8Then Amatzyah sent malachim to Yehoash Ben Yehoachaz Ben Yehu Melech Yisroel, saying, Come, let us face off [in war].
Proverbs 26:5Answer a kesil (fool) according to his folly, 1 lest he be chacham in his own eyes. 1
1 Peter 2:21It was for this tachlis (purpose) [of your being osei tzedek and suffering] that you were given your kri'ah (calling), because also Moshiach suffered on behalf of you, + 2:21 Isa 53:5-6 leaving you a mofet (example), that you should follow be'ikvot Moshiach (in the steps of Moshiach),
Jude 1:9By contrast, Mikha'el the Sar HaMalachim, + 1:9 Dan 10:13 when he took issue with HaSatan and disputed about the geviyyat Moshe + 1:9 Rabbeinu (body of Moses), did not presume to pronounce a slanderous judgment [against HaSatan], but said, “ Hashem rebuke you!”
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 26:4
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back. Here, 1. Wicked men are compared to the horse and the ass, so brutish are they, so unreasonable, so unruly, and not to be governed but by force or fear, so low has sin sunk men, so much below themselves. Man indeed is born like the wild ass's colt, but as some by the grace of God are changed, and become rational, so others by custom in sin are hardened, and become more and more sottish, as the horse and the mule, Ps. xxxii. 9 . 2.… Read the whole commentary →