Proverbs 26:4
Answer not a foole according to his foolishnes, least thou also be like him.
Geneva Bible 1599
In The King James Version
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
In Context
3Vnto the horse belongeth a whip, to the asse a bridle, and a rod to the fooles backe.
5Answere a foole according to his foolishnes, least he be wise in his owne conceite.
Cross References
Judges 12:1And the me of Ephraim gathered themselues together, and went Northwarde, and saide vnto Iphtah, Wherefore wentest thou to fight against the children of Ammon, and diddest not call vs to goe with thee? we will therefore burne thine house vpon thee with fire.
1 Kings 12:14And spake to them after the counsell of the yong men, saying, My father made your yoke grieuous, and I will make your yoke more grieuous: my father hath chastised you with rods, but I will correct you with scourges.
2 Kings 14:8Then Amaziah sent messengers to Iehoash the sonne of Iehoahaz, sonne of Iehu King of Israel, saying, Come, let vs see one another in the face.
Proverbs 26:5Answere a foole according to his foolishnes, least he be wise in his owne conceite.
1 Peter 2:21For hereunto ye are called: for Christ also suffred for you, leauing you an ensample that ye should follow his steppes.
Jude 1:9Yet Michael the Archangell, when hee stroue against the deuill, and disputed about the body of Moses, durst not blame him with cursed speaking, but sayd, The Lord rebuke thee.
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 →