Proverbs 26:5
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
World English Bible British
In The King James Version
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
In Context
4Don’t answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.
6One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.
Cross References
Proverbs 3:7Don’t be wise in your own eyes. Fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
Proverbs 26:12Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Isaiah 5:21Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
Matthew 15:1Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem, saying,
Matthew 21:23When 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 do you do these things? Who gave you this authority?”
Luke 12:13One of the multitude said to him, “Teacher, tell 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 →