Proverbs 26:4

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

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

Additional Resources

Other Translations

Referenced Verses

  • Judg 12:1-6 : 1 The men of Ephraim were called together, crossed northward, and said to Jephthah, "Why did you go to fight against the Ammonites without calling us to go with you? We will burn your house down on top of you in fire!" 2 Jephthah replied to them, "I and my people were in a serious struggle with the Ammonites. I called for your help, but you did not save me from their hands. 3 "When I saw that you would not help, I risked my own life and crossed over to fight against the Ammonites, and the Lord gave them into my hand. Why have you come to fight against me today?" 4 Then Jephthah gathered all the men of Gilead and fought against Ephraim. And the men of Gilead defeated Ephraim because they had said, "You Gileadites are deserters from Ephraim and Manasseh." 5 The Gileadites seized the fords of the Jordan opposite Ephraim, and whenever a fugitive from Ephraim tried to cross over, they would say, "Let me cross over." The men of Gilead would respond, "Are you an Ephraimite?" If he said, "No," 6 they would say, "Say 'Shibboleth.'" And if he said 'Sibboleth,' because he could not pronounce it correctly, they seized him and killed him at the fords of the Jordan. At that time, forty-two thousand from Ephraim were killed.
  • 2 Sam 19:41-43 : 41 The king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went with him. All the people of Judah and half the people of Israel escorted the king. 42 Soon, all the men of Israel came to the king and asked, "Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, steal you away and bring the king and his household across the Jordan, along with all your men?" 43 The men of Judah responded to the men of Israel, "The king is closely related to us. Why are you angry about this matter? Have we eaten any of the king’s provisions, or have we taken anything for ourselves?"
  • 1 Kgs 12:14 : 14 He said to them, "My father made your yoke heavy; I will make it even heavier. My father disciplined you with whips; I will discipline you with scorpions."
  • 1 Kgs 12:16 : 16 When all Israel saw that the king refused to listen to them, they answered the king: "What share do we have in David, what part in Jesse's son? To your tents, Israel! Look after your own house, David!" So the Israelites went home.
  • 2 Kgs 14:8-9 : 8 Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, son of Jehu, king of Israel, with this challenge: 'Come, let us face each other in battle.' 9 Jehoash king of Israel replied to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, 'A thistle in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar in Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son in marriage.’ Then a wild animal in Lebanon passed by and trampled the thistle. 10 You have indeed defeated Edom, and now you are arrogant. Be content with your glory and stay at home. Why bring disaster on yourself and Judah as well?'
  • Prov 17:14 : 14 Starting a quarrel is like letting out water; so stop the dispute before it breaks out.
  • Prov 26:5 : 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.
  • Isa 36:21 : 21 But the people remained silent and did not answer him a word, because the king had commanded, 'Do not answer him.'
  • 1 Pet 2:21-23 : 21 To this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example to follow in His footsteps. 22 He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth. 23 When He was reviled, He did not revile in return. When He suffered, He did not threaten, but entrusted Himself to the One who judges justly.
  • 1 Pet 3:9 : 9 Do not repay evil for evil or insult for insult, but on the contrary, give a blessing, because to this you were called, so that you may inherit a blessing.
  • Jude 1:9 : 9 But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, 'The Lord rebuke you!'

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

  • Prov 26:5-12
    8 verses
    93%

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

    6Whoever sends a message by the hands of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.

    7Like the legs of a lame person that hang limp, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

    8Like tying a stone in a sling, so is giving honor to a fool.

    9Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

    10A master archer who wounds all and one who hires a fool or passersby are alike.

    11Like a dog returning to its vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.

    12Do you see a person who is wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.

  • Prov 26:3
    81%

    3A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.

  • Prov 23:9
    79%

    9Do not speak in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the insight of your words.

  • Prov 18:6-7
    2 verses
    76%

    6A fool's lips lead to strife, and his mouth invites a beating.

    7The mouth of a fool is his ruin, and his lips are a snare for his soul.

  • Prov 14:7-8
    2 verses
    75%

    7Move away from a foolish person, for you will gain no knowledge from their speech.

    8The wisdom of the prudent is to understand their path, but the folly of fools is deceit.

  • Prov 29:11
    75%

    11A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man calmly holds it back.

  • Prov 26:1
    75%

    1Like snow in summer and rain during harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.

  • Prov 27:22
    75%

    22Though you grind a fool like grain in a mortar with a pestle, their foolishness will not leave them.

  • Prov 19:10
    75%

    10Luxury is not fitting for a fool, much less for a servant to rule over princes.

  • Prov 13:16
    74%

    16Every prudent person acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts their folly.

  • Prov 15:5
    74%

    5A fool despises his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction is wise.

  • Eccl 10:3
    74%

    3Even while walking along the road, the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how foolish he is.

  • Prov 29:19-20
    2 verses
    74%

    19A servant cannot be corrected by mere words; even if he understands, he will not respond.

    20Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

  • Eccl 7:9
    74%

    9Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.

  • Prov 17:12
    74%

    12Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly.

  • Prov 14:3
    74%

    3The mouth of a fool brings a rod of pride, but the lips of the wise protect them.

  • Prov 24:7
    74%

    7Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the gate he does not open his mouth.

  • Prov 12:15-16
    2 verses
    74%

    15The way of a fool seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.

    16Fools show their anger at once, but the prudent quietly overlook an insult.

  • Prov 15:1-2
    2 verses
    74%

    1A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

    2The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of fools gushes folly.

  • Prov 18:13
    74%

    13To answer before listening—that is folly and shame.

  • Eccl 10:14
    73%

    14A fool multiplies words; no one knows what will happen, and who can tell him what will come after him?

  • Prov 18:2
    73%

    2A fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only in revealing his own thoughts.

  • Eccl 7:5
    73%

    5It is better to hear the rebuke of a wise person than to listen to the song of fools.

  • Prov 14:16
    73%

    16The wise fear and turn away from evil, but fools are reckless and overconfident.

  • Eccl 10:12
    73%

    12The words of a wise person's mouth bring favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.

  • Prov 22:25
    73%

    25Or you may learn their ways and set a trap for your soul.

  • Prov 17:28
    73%

    28Even a fool is considered wise if they keep silent, and discerning when they shut their lips.

  • Ps 92:6
    73%

    6How great are Your works, O LORD! How profound are Your thoughts!

  • Prov 17:16
    73%

    16Why should a fool pay for wisdom when he has no intention of understanding it?

  • Ps 32:9
    73%

    9Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled with bit and bridle or they will not come near you.

  • Prov 14:24
    73%

    24The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields only folly.

  • Prov 17:21
    73%

    21The one who fathers a fool brings grief; the father of a senseless child has no joy.

  • Eccl 5:4
    73%

    4It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.

  • Prov 20:3
    72%

    3It is honorable for a person to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.

  • Prov 29:9
    72%

    9When a wise man contends with a foolish man, whether he rages or laughs, there is no peace.

  • Prov 25:8
    72%

    8Do not go hastily to court, lest you do something in the end that leaves you humiliated when your neighbor puts you to shame.

  • Prov 16:22
    72%

    22Understanding is a fountain of life to the one who has it, but the discipline of fools is folly.

  • Ps 94:8
    72%

    8Understand this, you brutish people! Fools, when will you understand?