Proverbs 26:4

NET Bible® (New English Translation)

Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you yourself also be like him.

Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

  • Judg 12:1-6 : 1 Civil Strife Mars the Victory The Ephraimites assembled and crossed over to Zaphon. They said to Jephthah,“Why did you go and fight with the Ammonites without asking us to go with you? We will burn your house down right over you!” 2 Jephthah said to them,“My people and I were in a struggle and the Ammonites were oppressing me greatly. I asked for your help, but you did not deliver me from their power. 3 When I saw that you were not going to help, I risked my life and advanced against the Ammonites, and the LORD handed them over to me. Why have you come up to fight with me today?” 4 Jephthah assembled all the men of Gilead and they fought with Ephraim. The men of Gilead defeated Ephraim, because the Ephraimites insulted them, saying,“You Gileadites are refugees in Ephraim, living within Ephraim’s and Manasseh’s territory.” 5 The Gileadites captured the fords of the Jordan River opposite Ephraim. Whenever an Ephraimite fugitive said,“Let me cross over,” the men of Gilead asked him,“Are you an Ephraimite?” If he said,“No,” 6 then they said to him,“Say‘Shibboleth!’” If he said,“Sibboleth”(and could not pronounce the word correctly), they grabbed him and executed him right there at the fords of the Jordan. On that day forty-two thousand Ephraimites fell dead.
  • 2 Sam 19:41-43 : 41 Then all the men of Israel began coming to the king. They asked the king,“Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, sneak the king away and help the king and his household cross the Jordan– and not only him but all of David’s men as well?” 42 All the men of Judah replied to the men of Israel,“Because the king is our close relative! Why are you so upset about this? Have we eaten at the king’s expense? Or have we misappropriated anything for our own use?” 43 The men of Israel replied to the men of Judah,“We have ten shares in the king, and we have a greater claim on David than you do! Why do you want to curse us? Weren’t we the first to suggest bringing back our king?” But the comments of the men of Judah were more severe than those of the men of Israel.
  • 1 Kgs 12:14 : 14 and followed the advice of the younger ones. He said,“My father imposed heavy demands on you; I will make them even heavier. My father punished you with ordinary whips; I will punish you with whips that really sting your flesh.”
  • 1 Kgs 12:16 : 16 When all Israel saw that the king refused to listen to them, the people answered the king,“We have no portion in David, no share in the son of Jesse! Return to your homes, O Israel! Now, look after your own dynasty, O David!” So Israel returned to their homes.
  • 2 Kgs 14:8-9 : 8 Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel. He said,“Come, let’s meet face to face.” 9 King Jehoash of Israel sent this message back to King Amaziah of Judah,“A thornbush in Lebanon sent this message to a cedar in Lebanon,‘Give your daughter to my son as a wife.’ Then a wild animal of Lebanon came by and trampled down the thorn. 10 You thoroughly defeated Edom and it has gone to your head! Gloat over your success, but stay in your palace. Why bring calamity on yourself? Why bring down yourself and Judah along with you?”
  • Prov 17:14 : 14 Starting a quarrel is like letting out water; abandon strife before it breaks out!
  • Prov 26:5 : 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own opinion.
  • Isa 36:21 : 21 They were silent and did not respond, for the king had ordered,“Don’t respond to him.”
  • 1 Pet 2:21-23 : 21 For to this you were called, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example for you to follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin nor was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was maligned, he did not answer back; when he suffered, he threatened no retaliation, but committed himself to God who judges justly.
  • 1 Pet 3:9 : 9 Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult, but instead bless others because you were called to inherit a blessing.
  • Jude 1:9 : 9 But even when Michael the archangel was arguing with the devil and debating with him concerning Moses’ body, he did not dare to bring a slanderous judgment, but said,“May 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, lest he be wise in his own opinion.

    6Like cutting off the feet or drinking violence, so is sending a message by the hand of a fool.

    7Like legs dangle uselessly from the lame, so a proverb dangles in the mouth of fools.

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

    9Like a thorn has gone up into the hand of a drunkard, so a proverb has gone up into the mouth of a fool.

    10Like an archer who wounds at random, so is the one who hires a fool or hires any passerby.

    11Like a dog that returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.

    12You have seen a man wise in his own opinion– there is more hope for a fool than for him.

  • Prov 26:3
    81%

    3A whip for the horse and a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!

  • Prov 23:9
    79%

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

  • Prov 18:6-7
    2 verses
    76%

    6The lips of a fool enter into strife, and his mouth invites a flogging.

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

  • Prov 14:7-8
    2 verses
    75%

    7Walk abreast with a foolish person, and you do not understand wise counsel.

    8The wisdom of the shrewd person is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deception.

  • Prov 29:11
    75%

    11A fool lets fly with all his temper, but a wise person keeps it back.

  • Prov 26:1
    75%

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

  • Prov 27:22
    75%

    22If you should pound the fool in the mortar among the grain with the pestle, his foolishness would not depart from him.

  • Prov 19:10
    75%

    10Luxury is not appropriate for a fool; how much less for a servant to rule over princes!

  • Prov 13:16
    74%

    16Every shrewd person acts with knowledge, but a fool displays his folly.

  • Prov 15:5
    74%

    5A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds reproof shows good sense.

  • Eccl 10:3
    74%

    3Even when a fool walks along the road he lacks sense, and shows everyone what a fool he is.

  • Prov 29:19-20
    2 verses
    74%

    19A servant cannot be corrected by words, for although he understands, there is no answer.

    20You have seen someone who is hasty in his words– there is more hope for a fool than for him.

  • Eccl 7:9
    74%

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

  • Prov 17:12
    74%

    12It is better for a person to meet a mother bear being robbed of her cubs, than to encounter a fool in his folly.

  • Prov 14:3
    74%

    3In the speech of a fool is a rod for his back, but the words of the wise protect them.

  • Prov 24:7
    74%

    7Wisdom is unattainable for a fool; in court he does not open his mouth.

  • Prov 12:15-16
    2 verses
    74%

    15The way of a fool is right in his own opinion, but the one who listens to advice is wise.

    16A fool’s annoyance is known at once, but the prudent conceals dishonor.

  • Prov 15:1-2
    2 verses
    74%

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

    2The tongue of the wise treats knowledge correctly, but the mouth of the fool spouts out folly.

  • Prov 18:13
    74%

    13The one who gives an answer before he listens– that is his folly and his shame.

  • Eccl 10:14
    73%

    14yet a fool keeps on babbling. No one knows what will happen; who can tell him what will happen in the future?

  • Prov 18:2
    73%

    2A fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only in disclosing what is on his mind.

  • Eccl 7:5
    73%

    5Frivolous Living Versus Wisdom It is better for a person to receive a rebuke from those who are wise than to listen to the song of fools.

  • Prov 14:16
    73%

    16A wise person is cautious and turns from evil, but a fool throws off restraint and is overconfident.

  • Eccl 10:12
    73%

    12Words and Works of Wise Men and Fools The words of a wise person win him favor, but the words of a fool are self-destructive.

  • Prov 22:25
    73%

    25lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.

  • Prov 17:28
    73%

    28Even a fool who remains silent is considered wise, and the one who holds his tongue is deemed discerning.

  • Ps 92:6
    73%

    6The spiritually insensitive do not recognize this; the fool does not understand this.

  • Prov 17:16
    73%

    16What’s the point of a fool having money in hand to buy wisdom, when his head is empty?

  • Ps 32:9
    73%

    9Do not be like an unintelligent horse or mule, which will not obey you unless they are controlled by a bridle and bit.

  • Prov 14:24
    73%

    24The crown of the wise is their riches, but the folly of fools is folly.

  • Prov 17:21
    73%

    21Whoever brings a fool into the world does so to his grief, and the father of a fool has no joy.

  • Eccl 5:4
    73%

    4When you make a vow to God, do not delay in paying it. For God takes no pleasure in fools: Pay what you vow!

  • Prov 20:3
    72%

    3It is an honor for a person to cease from strife, but every fool quarrels.

  • Prov 29:9
    72%

    9When a wise person goes to court with a foolish person, there is no peace whether he is angry or laughs.

  • Prov 25:8
    72%

    8Do not go out hastily to litigation, or what will you do afterward when your neighbor puts you to shame?

  • Prov 16:22
    72%

    22Insight is like a life-giving fountain to the one who possesses it, but folly leads to the discipline of fools.

  • Ps 94:8
    72%

    8Take notice of this, you ignorant people! You fools, when will you ever understand?