Proverbs 26:5

5 Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.

Proverbs 26:5 in Other Translations

5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

5 Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools, or they will become wise in their own estimation.

5 Answer a fool in simple terms so he doesn't get a swelled head.

5 Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit.

5 Answer a fool with his own stupidity, or he will think he is wise.

5 Answer a fool according to his foolishness, or he'll become wise in his own eyes.

5 Answer a foolish person in keeping with his foolish acts. If you do, he won't be wise in his own eyes.

Proverbs 26:5 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 26:5

Answer a fool according to his folly
The Targum is,

``but speak with a fool in thy wisdom;''

and the Syriac version,

``yea, speak with a fool according to thy wisdom;''

which would at once remove the seeming contradiction in these words to the former, but then they are not a true version; indeed it is right, and must be the sense, that when a fool is answered, as it is sometimes necessary he should, that it be done in wisdom, and so as to expose his folly; he is to be answered and not answered according to different times, places, and circumstances, and manner of answering; he is to be answered when there is any hope of doing him good, or of doing good to others; or of preventing ill impressions being made upon others by what he has said; when the glory of God, the good of the church, and the cause of truth, require it; and when he would otherwise glory and triumph, as if his words or works were unanswerable, as follow; lest he be wise in his own conceit;
which fools are apt to be, and the rather when no answer is given them; imagining it arises from the strength of their arguments, and their nervous way of reasoning, when it is rather from a neglect and contempt of them.

Proverbs 26:5 In-Context

3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!

4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.

5 Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.

6 Sending a message by the hands of a fool is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.

7 Like the useless legs of one who is lame is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.

Cross References

• 1. ver 4; S Proverbs 3:7