Proverbs 26:4 kjv
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
Proverbs 26:4 nkjv
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him.
Proverbs 26:4 niv
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.
Proverbs 26:4 esv
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.
Proverbs 26:4 nlt
Don't answer the foolish arguments of fools,
or you will become as foolish as they are.
Proverbs 26 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 26:5 | Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes. | Paradox: Shows discernment needed. |
| Matt 7:6 | "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls..." | Avoid casting wisdom before those who debase it. |
| Matt 15:14 | "Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind." | Withdrawal from those unteachable. |
| Luk 20:3-4 | "I will also ask you one thing; and answer me: The baptism of John, was it..?" | Jesus' strategic refusal to answer tricky questions. |
| Tit 3:9 | But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings.. | Shun arguments leading to unprofitability. |
| 2 Tim 2:23 | But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. | Do not engage in disputes causing contention. |
| Prov 9:7-8 | "He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame..." | Discretion in rebuke, avoid those who hate correction. |
| Eccl 3:7 | "A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak." | Wisdom in knowing when to speak or be silent. |
| Jas 1:19 | "...let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:" | Caution against hasty speech, encouraging thoughtfulness. |
| 1 Cor 15:33 | "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners." | Warning against being corrupted by association. |
| 2 Cor 6:14 | "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers..." | Caution against close alliances that compromise. |
| Rom 12:2 | "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing.." | Resisting conformity to ungodly patterns. |
| Ps 38:13-14 | "But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not.." | Example of patient silence in the face of accusation. |
| Isa 53:7 | "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth..." | Jesus' silent suffering as a pattern of restraint. |
| Prov 14:7 | "Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge." | Advise to avoid company of foolish. |
| Prov 17:12 | "Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly." | Depicts the danger and irrationality of fools. |
| Prov 18:2 | "A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself." | Highlights the fool's disinterest in wisdom. |
| Phil 4:8 | "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true... think on these things." | Focus on truth and virtue, not engaging in foolishness. |
| Col 4:6 | "Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt..." | Speak with wisdom, appropriateness, and consideration. |
| Prov 23:9 | "Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words." | Foolish disdain wisdom, making speaking to them futile. |
| Jer 9:5 | "They teach their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity." | A characteristic of those whose folly can lead one astray. |
| Prov 29:9 | "If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest." | Conflict with a fool brings no resolution or peace. |
Proverbs 26 verses
Proverbs 26 4 Meaning
Proverbs 26:4 advises against responding to a fool by adopting their foolish methods or engaging on their terms. To do so risks lowering oneself to their level, legitimizing their absurdity, and becoming indistinguishable from them in the interaction. It is a caution to preserve one's own wisdom and dignity by refusing to participate in folly.
Proverbs 26 4 Context
Proverbs chapter 26 is largely dedicated to illustrating the nature and pitfalls of dealing with a fool (kěsîl in Hebrew) and other problematic individuals like sluggards, mockers, and gossipers. The immediate context presents two consecutive, seemingly contradictory proverbs: 26:4 ("Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him") and 26:5 ("Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes"). This antithetical pairing is a deliberate literary device unique to the book of Proverbs, particularly within the Solomonic collections (chapters 10-29). It highlights that biblical wisdom is not a set of rigid rules, but rather demands discernment and situational awareness. One must choose the appropriate response based on the specific circumstances and the desired outcome when engaging with a fool. The overarching historical context emphasizes the Israelite pursuit of godly wisdom in daily interactions, contrasting with the often irrational or self-serving ways of surrounding cultures.
Proverbs 26 4 Word analysis
- Answer not (אַל-תַּעַן - ʾal-taʿanēh): This is a strong negative command. ʾAnāh (to answer) suggests a direct engagement, a verbal counter. The prohibition emphasizes restraint and avoiding direct refutation on the fool's terms. It means holding one's tongue from an impulsive, natural reaction.
- a fool (כְּסִיל - kěsîl): This is not merely someone lacking intelligence, but a morally deficient person resistant to instruction, confident in their own ignorance, and stubbornly set in their irrational ways. They lack practical wisdom and ethical sense. This kind of fool is often self-righteous and unable to learn.
- according to his folly (כְּאִוַּלְתּוֹ - kəʾiwwaltō): ʾIwwɛleth refers to the active expression or display of foolishness. This phrase means in the manner of his foolishness, mirroring his absurd arguments, his irrational logic, or his coarse behavior. It signifies engaging in the very terms, language, or absurd reasoning that defines the fool's conduct.
- lest (פֶּן - p̄en): A conjunctive particle introducing a negative purpose or result clause: "so that... not," "for fear that," "otherwise." It indicates a grave consequence to be avoided.
- thou also (תִּשְׁוֶה-לּוֹ - tišweh-lô): The root šāwāh means "to be like, resemble, compare." The lô means "to him" or "like him." This signifies the risk of becoming morally or intellectually identical to the fool, losing one's wise standing.
- be like unto him (תִּשְׁוֶה-לּוֹ - tišweh-lô): This phrase emphasizes the danger of assimilation. By descending to the fool's level of argument or behavior, the wise person blurs the distinction, losing their integrity and giving credibility to the foolishness. It's a caution against dignifying nonsense with a sensible reply.
- "Answer not a fool according to his folly": This is a warning against validating irrationality. Responding to foolishness using foolish methods would imply that the fool's starting point or premise is worthy of a parallel response, thus granting it a false legitimacy. It is about protecting one's mental and spiritual space from being polluted by engaging in nonsense.
- "lest thou also be like unto him": This phrase highlights the personal cost. The fear is not just of losing an argument, but of becoming like the very thing one opposes. Mimicking the fool's behavior or argument style contaminates the wise person's integrity, wisdom, and moral standing, dragging them into the fool's spiritual and intellectual mire. It implies losing moral authority and witness.
Proverbs 26 4 Bonus section
The juxtaposition of Proverbs 26:4 and 26:5 reveals that true wisdom involves not a rigid application of rules, but a nuanced discernment of timing, situation, and character. There are instances where challenging a fool is necessary to prevent them from becoming self-inflated and unchallenged in their error (as in verse 5), and times when engagement merely degrades the wise individual. This dual counsel emphasizes that godly wisdom is highly contextual, demanding careful judgment in each unique interaction. It underscores the active role of a person of wisdom in observing and adapting, rather than adhering to a simplistic, universal dictate. The purpose of these proverbs is not merely intellectual, but profoundly practical: to guide behavior that honors God and reflects His character, even when faced with folly.
Proverbs 26 4 Commentary
This proverb encapsulates profound wisdom for navigating interpersonal relationships, particularly when confronted with irrationality. It is not an absolute rule to always remain silent, but a guide for strategic engagement. The counsel is to refrain from stepping onto the fool's battleground, defined by illogic, absurdity, and sometimes personal attack. To engage a fool on their terms means lowering one's discourse, potentially adopting their faulty premises, and giving their foolishness a platform it doesn't deserve. The ultimate warning is a transformation of character: the wise person risks becoming indistinguishable from the fool. This proverb stresses the importance of preserving one's moral integrity and reputation by refusing to stoop to foolish levels of interaction. It teaches discernment: knowing when silence, or a different mode of response, is the wisest action. For instance, in an argument where one party is intentionally illogical or disrespectful, remaining silent or refusing to be drawn into the irrationality protects one's peace and preserves one's witness.