Proverbs 26:4

World English Bible (2000)

Don't answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.

Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

  • Judg 12:1-6 : 1 The men of Ephraim were gathered together, and passed northward; and they said to Jephthah, "Why did you pass over to fight against the children of Ammon, and didn't call us to go with you? We will burn your house around you with fire!" 2 Jephthah said to them, "I and my people were at great strife with the children of Ammon; and when I called you, you didn't save me out of their hand. 3 When I saw that you didn't save me, I put my life in my hand, and passed over against the children of Ammon, and Yahweh delivered them into my hand. Why then have you come up to me this day, to fight against me?" 4 Then Jephthah gathered together all the men of Gilead, and fought with Ephraim; and the men of Gilead struck Ephraim, because they said, "You are fugitives of Ephraim, you Gileadites, in the midst of Ephraim, [and] in the midst of Manasseh." 5 The Gileadites took the fords of the Jordan against the Ephraimites. It was so, that when [any of] the fugitives of Ephraim said, Let me go over, the men of Gilead said to him, "Are you an Ephraimite?" If he said, "No;" 6 then they said to him, "Now say 'Shibboleth;'" and he said "Sibboleth;" for he couldn't manage to pronounce it right: then they laid hold of him, and killed him at the fords of the Jordan. At that time, forty-two thousand of Ephraim fell.
  • 2 Sam 19:41-43 : 41 Behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said to the king, "Why have our brothers the men of Judah stolen you away, and brought the king, and his household, over the Jordan, and all David's men with him?" 42 All the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, "Because the king is a close relative to us. Why then are you angry about this matter? Have we eaten at all at the king's cost? Or has he given us any gift?" 43 The men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, "We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more claim to David than you. Why then did you despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king?" The words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.
  • 1 Kgs 12:14 : 14 and spoke to them according to the counsel of the young men, saying, "My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke. My father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions."
  • 1 Kgs 12:16 : 16 When all Israel saw that the king didn't listen to them, the people answered the king, saying, "What portion have we in David? Neither do we have an inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, Israel! Now see to your own house, David." So Israel departed to their tents.
  • 2 Kgs 14:8-9 : 8 Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, "Come, let us look one another in the face." 9 Jehoash the king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, "The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, 'Give your daughter to my son as wife. Then a wild animal that was in Lebanon passed by, and trampled down the thistle. 10 You have indeed struck Edom, and your heart has lifted you up. Enjoy the glory of it, and stay at home; for why should you meddle to your harm, that you should fall, even you, and Judah with you?'"
  • Prov 17:14 : 14 The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.
  • Prov 26:5 : 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
  • Isa 36:21 : 21 But they remained silent, and said nothing in reply, for the king's commandment was, "Don't answer him."
  • 1 Pet 2:21-23 : 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps, 22 who did not sin, "neither was deceit found in his mouth." 23 Who, when he was cursed, didn't curse back. When he suffered, didn't threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously;
  • 1 Pet 3:9 : 9 not rendering evil for evil, or insult for insult; but instead blessing; knowing that to this were you called, that you may inherit a blessing.
  • Jude 1:9 : 9 But Michael, the archangel, when contending with the devil and arguing about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him an abusive condemnation, 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 eyes.

    6One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.

    7Like the legs of the lame that hang loose: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

    8As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.

    9Like a thornbush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

    10As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or he who hires those who pass by.

    11As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly.

    12Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

  • 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%

    9Don't speak in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.

  • Prov 18:6-7
    2 verses
    76%

    6A fool's lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.

    7A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

  • Prov 14:7-8
    2 verses
    75%

    7Stay away from a foolish man, for you won't find knowledge on his lips.

    8The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way, but the folly of fools is deceit.

  • Prov 29:11
    75%

    11A fool vents all of his anger, but a wise man brings himself under control.

  • Prov 26:1
    75%

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

  • Prov 27:22
    75%

    22Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain, yet his foolishness will not be removed from him.

  • Prov 19:10
    75%

    10Delicate living is not appropriate for a fool, much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

  • Prov 13:16
    74%

    16Every prudent man acts from knowledge, but a fool exposes folly.

  • Prov 15:5
    74%

    5A fool despises his father's correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence.

  • Eccl 10:3
    74%

    3Yes also, when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.

  • Prov 29:19-20
    2 verses
    74%

    19A servant can't be corrected by words. Though he understands, yet 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%

    9Don't be hasty in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.

  • Prov 17:12
    74%

    12Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

  • Prov 14:3
    74%

    3The fool's talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.

  • Prov 24:7
    74%

    7Wisdom is too high for a fool: he doesn't open his mouth in the gate.

  • Prov 12:15-16
    2 verses
    74%

    15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who is wise listens to counsel.

    16A fool shows his annoyance the same day, but one who overlooks an insult is prudent.

  • 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 commends knowledge, but the mouth of fools gush out folly.

  • Prov 18:13
    74%

    13He who gives answer before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.

  • Eccl 10:14
    73%

    14A fool also multiplies words. Man doesn't know what will be; and that which will be after him, who can tell him?

  • Prov 18:2
    73%

    2A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.

  • Eccl 7:5
    73%

    5It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.

  • Prov 14:16
    73%

    16A wise man fears, and shuns evil, but the fool is hotheaded and reckless.

  • Eccl 10:12
    73%

    12The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips.

  • Prov 22:25
    73%

    25lest you learn his ways, and ensnare your soul.

  • Prov 17:28
    73%

    28Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.

  • Ps 92:6
    73%

    6A senseless man doesn't know, neither does a fool understand this:

  • Prov 17:16
    73%

    16Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?

  • Ps 32:9
    73%

    9Don't be like the horse, or like the mule, which have no understanding, who are controlled by bit and bridle, or else they will not come near to you.

  • Prov 14:24
    73%

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

  • Prov 17:21
    73%

    21He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.

  • Eccl 5:4
    73%

    4When you vow a vow to God, don't defer to pay it; for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay that which you vow.

  • Prov 20:3
    72%

    3It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; but every fool will be quarreling.

  • Prov 29:9
    72%

    9If a wise man goes to court with a foolish man, the fool rages or scoffs, and there is no peace.

  • Prov 25:8
    72%

    8Don't be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?

  • Prov 16:22
    72%

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

  • Ps 94:8
    72%

    8Consider, you senseless among the people; you fools, when will you be wise?