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26 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,
so honor is not fitting for a fool.
Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,
a curse that is causeless does not alight.
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
and a rod for the back of fools.
Answer not a fool according to his folly,
lest you be like him yourself.
Answer a fool according to his folly,
lest he be wise in his own eyes.
Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool
cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
Like a lame man’s legs, which hang useless,
is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
Like one who binds the stone in the sling
is one who gives honor to a fool.
Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard
is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
Like an archer who wounds everyone
is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.
Like a dog that returns to his vomit
is a fool who repeats his folly.
Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road!
There is a lion in the streets!”
As a door turns on its hinges,
so does a sluggard on his bed.
The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.
The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes
than seven men who can answer sensibly.
Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own
is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.
Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death
is the man who deceives his neighbor
and says, “I am only joking!”
For lack of wood the fire goes out,
and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
they go down into the inner parts of the body.
Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel
are fervent lips with an evil heart.
Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips
and harbors deceit in his heart;
when he speaks graciously, believe him not,
for there are seven abominations in his heart;
though his hatred be covered with deception,
his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,
and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.
A lying tongue hates its victims,
and a flattering mouth works ruin.
(ESV)
Proverbs 26 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
I’m going to analyze Proverbs 26:5 because it seems to have contradicted what Hank has just commented on in verse 4. Here are both of the verses in context…
“Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.”
Proverbs 26:4-5 ESV
Hank hit the nail on the head with verse 4. There are some conversations that simply are not fruitful and should be avoided. However, after reading verse 5, it becomes somewhat confusing. Why are we told not to answer the fool in 4 and then to answer the fool in 5?
I believe this passage speaks to discernment and Spirit-led encounters. There are situations where we will be forced to answer the fool. Practically-speaking, we cannot avoid every situation that presents a conflict. When that occurs, we should feel confident knowing that God’s truth is absolute.
For those of us who know God, and know His Word, we must understand that these truths are not just ideas. Our words are the absolute truth from an absolute God, and they have the ability to destroy worldviews.
Spirit-led words cut deep into the lives of others. This is why we must use discernment when knowing whether we answer or do not answer a fool. If you look at the verses again, you will notice that the purpose of remaining silent is so that you don’t become foolish yourself. The purpose of answering a fool is so that they will not become puffed up with nonsense.
The Spirit was sent to guide us in all truth, for all situations and circumstances. Do not fear people who challenge God, but do not seek them out merely to win an argument either.