Q&A Home > A > Answering the Fool

To answer, and not to answer a fool according to his folly, is what I do not understand in this seemingly contradictory verse "Don't answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly lest he be wise in his own eyes" (Proverbs 26:4). Could Your Grace please explain?

In the Holy Book of Proverbs 26:4 "Don't answer a fool according to his folly" means do not descend to his level of thinking. If he boasts, mocks, teases and lies, do not participate in that conversation; for if you do, you will be like him. Sometimes it is better to keep silent than conduct an empty conversation with a fool.

However, "Answer a fool according to his folly lest he be wise in his own eyes" means say something to the fool that is of spiritual benefit to him; because if you keep silent, he might think that you agree with what he says. Silence might arrogantly make him believe that he is correct. The main point here is to say the right word at the right time, to expose a fool’s lack of wisdom and lies to others and to himself. This is to be done not with words beyond his understanding but with simple teaching that he can benefit from. "Time to keep silence, and time to speak" (Eccl 3:7).