Proverbs 26:4 (NIV)
DO NOT ANSWER a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.
Proverbs 26:5 (NIV)
ANSWER a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.
Which is it, then? Should one give an answer to the fool or not?
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THE MEANING:
The book of Proverbs has a lot to say about fools. They despise wisdom (Proverbs 1:7, 22, 10:21, 23:9); they are right in their own eyes (Proverbs 12:15); they are deceitful (Proverbs 14:8) and scornful (Proverbs 10:23, 14:9). Instructing a fool can be pointless because his speech is full of foolishness (Proverbs 15:2, 14) and he does not want understanding but delights in airing his own opinions (Proverbs 18:2).
Proverbs 26:4-5 teaches us how to handle fools in different situations. Even though the verses seem contradictory at first, it simply shows how timing matters when addressing different encounters with fools.
Verse 4 advises us not to argue with a fool in a way that lowers us to his level. Since he despises wisdom, the fool won’t listen to reason and will argue deceitfully, scornfully, or foolishly, all the while dragging us into pointless arguments and waste of time.
Verse 5, however, says that there are times when we need to address a fool’s foolishness directly. This means pointing out the flaws in his thinking so that others can see the difference between wisdom and folly. Even if the fool thinks wrongly or despises and rejects the wisdom offered to him, if possible, correct him for the sake of truth and for others who are listening.
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SUMMARY OF THIS SUPPOSED BIBLE CONTRADICTION
In summary, we should ignore fools when the issue is trivial, but when it matters, we should confront them so that their foolishness isn’t taken seriously by others. Whether to use the principle of verse 4 and deal with a fool by ignoring him, or obey verse 5 and reprove a fool directly, depends on the situation and the timing.
In insignificant matters, it’s probably better to disregard him. But in more important areas, such as when a fool denies the existence of God (Psalm 14:1), we are to respond to his foolishness with words of rebuke and instruction so that he will not be wise in his own eyes, and his folly will not be seen as credible by others who are listening.
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