Should You Answer a Fool or Not?

“Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.” – Proverbs 26:4-5

Is this a contradiction?

No, this is a comparison/contrast. The ending of each verse tells us what is intended by the first admonition.

In verse four, we are warned against being like the fool, or answering him foolishly, that is, answering in such a manner as there appears to be no difference between us (manipulation, name-calling, wild accusations, sensationalism, "I know you are, but what am I?," etc). In verse five, however, we are counseled to rebuke the fool lest he appear wise, and to do so in a manner that cuts to the heart of the issue. I could point to numerous examples of this in politics and the media, where people routinely say foolish things but come across as intelligent and reputable in the eyes of some because their assertions go unchallenged by critical thinkers who know how to expose such things.

Taken together, these verses are counseling us to combat foolishness by addressing why something is foolish rather than by acting like fools ourselves.

*Image credit: Karen Arnold - www.publicdomainpictures.net

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