Proverbs 26:4

The Message

Don’t respond to the stupidity of a fool; you’ll only look foolish yourself.

Cross References

Proverbs 26:5

Answer a fool in simple terms so he doesn’t get a swelled head.

Proverbs 17:14

The start of a quarrel is like a leak in a dam, so stop it before it bursts.

1 Kings 12:16

When all Israel realized that the king hadn’t listened to a word they’d said, they stood up to him and said, Get lost, David! We’ve had it with you, son of Jesse! Let’s get out of here, Israel, and fast! From now on, David, mind your own business. And with that, they left. But Rehoboam continued to rule those who lived in the towns of Judah. * * *

Jude 1:9

The Archangel Michael, who went to the mat with the Devil as they fought over the body of Moses, wouldn’t have dared level him with a blasphemous curse, but said simply, “No you don’t. God will take care of you!” But these people sneer at anything they can’t understand, and by doing whatever they feel like doing—living by animal instinct only—they participate in their own destruction. I’m fed up with them! They’ve gone down Cain’s road; they’ve been sucked into Balaam’s error by greed; they’re canceled out in Korah’s rebellion.

Isaiah 36:21

The three men were silent. They said nothing, for the king had already commanded, “Don’t answer him.”

Matthew 7:6

“Don’t be flip with the sacred. Banter and silliness give no honor to God. Don’t reduce holy mysteries to slogans. In trying to be relevant, you’re only being cute and inviting sacrilege.

Proverbs 23:9

Don’t bother talking sense to fools; they’ll only poke fun at your words.

Proverbs 29:9

A sage trying to work things out with a fool gets only scorn and sarcasm for his trouble.