Proverbs 26:4-5
“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.”
Proverbs has much to say about fools.
- Fools despise wisdom (Proverbs 1:7,22; 10:21, 23:9).
- They are right in their own eyes (Proverbs 12:15).
- They are deceitful (Proverbs 14:8) and scornful (Proverbs 10:23, 14:9).
Proverbs gives us instruction on how to deal with fools. Trying to instruct foolish people is pointless because they are arrogant and obstinate (Proverbs 15:2, 14), and they do not want wisdom or understanding (Proverbs 18:2).
Today’s passage explains the futility of trying to impart wisdom to a fool. The two statements are mirrors of each other and provide insight about responding to fools. Verse 4 warns against arguing with a fool on his own terms, lest we stoop to his level and become as foolish as he is. Because he despises wisdom and correction, the fool will not listen to reason and insight; instead, he will try to draw us into his type of argument, whether it is by using deceit, scoffing at our wisdom, or becoming angry and abusive. If we allow him to draw us into this type of discourse, we are answering him “according to his folly” and we become like him.
On the other hand, there are times when a fool has to be addressed so that his foolishness does not go unchallenged. In those situations, we confront and expose his foolishness. Our “answer” in this case is one of reproof, showing him the truth so he might see the foolishness of his words in the light of reason. Even though he will most likely despise and reject the wisdom offered to him, we make the attempt, both for the sake of the truth which is always to be declared, and for the sake of those listening, that they may see the difference between wisdom and folly, thereby be instructed.
Whether we apply the principle of verse 4 and deal with a fool by ignoring him, or apply the principle of verse 5 and reprove a fool depends on the situation. In matters of insignificance, it’s probably better to simply ignore the foolish person. In more important areas, such as when a fool denies the existence of God (Psalm 14:1), verse 5 tells us to respond to his foolishness with words of rebuke and instruction. To let a fool speak his nonsense without reproof encourages him to remain wise in his own eyes and possibly gives credibility to his folly in the eyes of others.
To summarize, in negligible issues we should just ignore fools, but in issues that matter, they must be dealt with so that no credibility will be given to what they say. In other words, the wise person must assess whether this is a fool who will simply drain one’s energy with no positive results or whether an answer will prove fruitful to the fool or to those who overhear. The wise not only know the proverb but also can read the circumstances and the people with whom they dialogue.
