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Proverbs 26:4

Proverbs 26:4
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

My Notes

Commentary

Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.

Baptist theologian, 1697–1771

Gill's Exposition

Answer not a fool according to his folly,.... Sometimes a fool, or wicked man, is not to be answered at all; as the ministers of Hezekiah answered not a word to Rabshakeh; nor Jeremiah the prophet to…

Presbyterian pastor, 1798–1870

Barnes' Notes

Proverbs 26:4-5

Two sides of a truth. To “answer a fool according to his folly” is in Pro 26:4 to bandy words with him, to descend to his level of coarse anger and vile abuse; in Pro 26:5 it is to say the right word…

Nonconformist minister, 1662–1714

Matthew Henry

Proverbs 26:4-5

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…

Academic commentary, 1882–1921

Cambridge Bible

Proverbs 26:4-5

according to Let not your answer be according to his folly in foolishness; but let it be according to it in appositeness.