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Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.
Verse Takeaways
1
The Goal is Humility, Not Victory
Commentators agree that the primary goal of answering a fool is not to win an argument, but to prevent them from becoming "wise in his own conceit." The response is a corrective measure, designed to expose their folly to themselves and others, thereby promoting humility.
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4
18th Century
Presbyterian
Two sides of a truth. To answer a fool according to his folly is, in Proverbs 26:4, to bandy words with him, to descend to his level of co…
19th Century
Anglican
Answer a fool according to his folly.— As his folly deserves, sharply and decisively, and in language suited to his compr…
17th Century
Reformed Baptist
Answer a fool according to his folly The Targum is, ``but speak with a fool in your wisdom;'' and the Syriac version…
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We are to fit our remarks to the man, and address them to his conscience, so that they may best end the debate.
