Proverbs 26:5

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

Semantically similar passages

Proverbs 23:8–10

⁸ You will vomit up what little you have eaten and waste your pleasant words. ⁹ Do not speak to a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words. ¹⁰ Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,

Proverbs 9:7–9

⁷ He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself. ⁸ Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. ⁹ Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he wi…

Proverbs 18:12–14

¹² Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. ¹³ He who answers a matter before he hears it— this is folly and disgrace to him. ¹⁴ The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?

Sirach 5:11–13

¹¹ Be swift to hear and answer with patience. (WEB) ¹² If you have understanding, answer your neighbor; but if not, put your hand over your mouth. (WEB) ¹³ Glory and dishonor is in talk. A man’s tongue may be his downfall. (WEB)

Proverbs 19:24–26

²⁴ The slacker buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth. ²⁵ Strike a mocker, and the simple will beware; rebuke the discerning man, and he will gain knowledge. ²⁶ He who assaults his father or evicts his mother is a son who brings shame a…

Proverbs 26:11–13

¹¹ As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly. ¹² Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. ¹³ The slacker says, “A lion is in the road! A fierce lion roams the public square!”

1 Corinthians 3:18–20

¹⁸ Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise. ¹⁹ For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” ²⁰ And again, “Th…

Proverbs 12:14–16

¹⁴ By fruitful speech a man is filled with good things, and the work of his hands returns to him. ¹⁵ The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel. ¹⁶ A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.

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