Charles Ellicott Commentary Proverbs 26

As rain in harvest. — This was very unusual in Palestine (compare 1 Samuel 12:17 and following verses), and of course very unsuitable for carrying on the work of harvest.

So honour is not seemly for a fool.— That is, for a dull person, confident in his own wisdom (Proverbs 1:22). It only confirms him in his good opinion of himself, making him less inclined than ever to learn.

As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying. —Rather, As the bird (any small one, especially the sparrow) is made for wandering, and the swallow for flying (where it pleases), so the curse causeless (i.e., spoken without reason) will not come (reach its destination). The Hebrew reads in the margin “to him,” instead of “not,” in the sense that a causeless curse, though it passes out of sight like a bird in its flight, yet returns “to him” who uttered it—an idea expressed in more than one English proverb. (Isaiah 55:11.)

Answer not a fool.— Compare to Proverbs 1:22.

According to his folly.— Do not lower yourself by disputing or arguing with him; he will not take in your meaning, and will think he has got the better of you, perhaps will insult you. It is noticeable that our Lord never answered a question which should not have been asked Him, but always deflected it (e.g., Matthew 21:23 and following; Luke 13:23–24; Luke 23:9; John 21:21–22; Acts 1:6 and following).

Answer a fool according to his folly.— As his folly deserves, sharply and decisively, and in language suited to his comprehension.

Cuts off the feet.— He wants his business done, but if he sends a fool to do it, he might as well cut off his messenger’s legs, because the business will not be transacted; indeed, worse than this, he will “drink damage,” i.e., suffer actual harm from the blundering of his emissary.