Audio Download

The Paradox of Proverbs 26:4–5

[Study Aired June 3, 2025]

Proverbs 26:4–5 appears paradoxical at first glance: “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.” These seemingly contradictory proverbs actually deliver a single lesson—wisdom requires discernment. Sometimes responding to folly helps; other times it only entangles the wise in the fool’s errors. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to such interactions. Instead, the text invites thoughtful judgment about when silence preserves dignity and when correction restrains conceit.

The Hebrew word for “fool” depicts a stubborn, arrogant person who rejects wisdom—not an ignorant seeker, but one hardened in self-assurance. “Folly” conveys senselessness or moral absurdity. To “answer according to his folly” can mean responding in kind—on the fool’s level. Verse 4 warns against this, lest we resemble him. Verse 5, however, urges a strategic answer that reveals the error, preventing the fool from thinking himself wise.

Rather than contradicting, the verses portray complementary expressions of discernment. Ecclesiastes 3:7 reminds us there is “a time to keep silence, and a time to speak,” and Christ exemplifies this perfectly. In His ministry, Jesus sometimes answered in a way that exposed error and corrected arrogance; other times He withheld response, refusing to legitimize folly. His example provides a model of how to walk wisely in the spirit of Proverbs 26:4–5, discerning when to speak and when to stay silent.

Jesus Answering a Fool According to His Folly: Examples of Wise Responses

Throughout His ministry, Jesus frequently faced opponents who questioned Him with insincerity or malice. These adversaries—often religious leaders or skeptics—acted as biblical “fools”: proud, resistant to correction, and dismissive of truth. While Jesus never stooped to folly Himself, at times He responded to such individuals in ways that exposed their error and dismantled their conceit. In doing so, He fulfilled the wisdom of Proverbs 26:5 “Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.”

One such moment occurred when the Sadducees challenged Jesus with a hypothetical question about resurrection (Matthew 22:23–33; Mark 12:18–27). Rejecting belief in resurrection, they posed a mock scenario involving a woman who successively married seven brothers. “In the resurrection,” they asked, “whose wife shall she be?” The question was crafted to ridicule the doctrine, not explore it. Rather than entertain their flawed assumptions, Jesus dismantled them: “Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.” He clarified that resurrection life is not bound by earthly marriage but mirrors the angelic order, and He affirmed resurrection by quoting Exodus: “I am the God of Abraham… God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” With this answer, Jesus both corrected error and defended truth, silencing the Sadducees before the crowd.

Another occasion was the tribute to Caesar (Matthew 22:15–22). Hoping to trap Him between political disloyalty and religious compromise, the Pharisees and Herodians asked, “Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” Jesus, aware of their intent, refused a simple yes or no. He asked for a coin, pointed out Caesar’s image, and replied, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.” His answer rose above the trap, upheld a divine principle, and exposed their duplicity—all without adopting their approach.

In John 8:3–11, the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, testing Jesus with: “Moses commanded us to stone such. What sayest thou?”  Their aim was to pit Him against either Roman law or Mosaic authority. Jesus initially answered with silence, stooping to write on the ground. Pressed for a response, He said, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone.” The result was immediate: the accusers slipped away one by one, convicted by their own consciences. His answer upheld justice while exposing hypocrisy. Then, turning to the woman, He said, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” In a single response, Jesus honored the law’s gravity and displayed godly mercy.

Other examples abound. When Jesus healed on the Sabbath (Mark 3:1–5), He countered their scrutiny with a question: “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath… or to do evil?” When a lawyer asked, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus responded with the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29–37), reframing the conversation into a moral lesson. When asked by what authority He acted (Luke 20:1–8), Jesus answered with His own question about John’s baptism, revealing His challengers’ duplicity. Again and again, His words cut through deception, not to win arguments, but to uphold truth and offer opportunity for repentance.

In each case, Jesus responded wisely—not mimicking the fool’s tone, but answering in a way that exposed folly and upheld righteousness. He did not engage in empty debates or retaliate in kind. His motives were pure: love for truth, love for people, and obedience to the Father. His answers prevented falsehood from gaining ground and offered correction, sometimes even to the foolish themselves, if they were willing to listen.

Jesus Not Answering a Fool According to His Folly: Examples of Wise Silence

While Jesus often dismantled folly with powerful answers, there were key moments when He chose not to speak at all. In doing so, He modeled Proverbs 26:4 “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.” His silence was never due to fear or lack of words, but stemmed from wisdom—He would not be drawn into empty arguments or enable the pride of scoffers.

One such moment came during His trial before Herod Antipas (Luke 23:8–9). Herod, driven by idle curiosity, hoped Jesus would perform a miracle. He questioned Jesus at length, but received no response. Jesus stood silent, refusing to indulge Herod’s frivolous interest. Herod had already hardened his heart—having earlier ordered John the Baptist’s execution—and now treated Jesus like a spectacle. To answer would have validated Herod’s mockery. Jesus would not cast pearls before swine. His silence preserved dignity and fulfilled the prophecy: “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7). In this moment, silence was the higher wisdom.

Another example occurred when the chief priests and elders questioned Jesus’ authority (Matthew 21:23–27). Their question— “By what authority doest thou these things?”—was designed to entrap. Jesus countered with His own question about John the Baptist’s origin: “The baptism of John, was it from heaven or of men?” When they refused to answer, Jesus likewise withheld a reply: “Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.” This was not evasion but discernment. Since they would not engage honestly, He declined to further the discussion. Rather than becoming ensnared in their duplicity, He exposed it and ended the exchange.

Similarly, during His final trials, Jesus endured a barrage of accusations from religious leaders and Roman officials. Before Pilate and the council, He remained largely silent (Mark 14:60–61; Matthew 27:12–14). Only when directly asked about His identity did He speak. Otherwise, He chose not to respond to false charges or baiting questions. His silence was a statement of strength, fulfilling Scripture and showing unwavering trust in the Father’s judgment: “He committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” (1 Peter 2:23). There was nothing to be gained by defending Himself against those whose hearts were already closed.

These examples reveal that Jesus’ silence was not passivity, but purposeful restraint. He knew when words would fall on deaf ears, stir further hostility, or give the impression of validating foolishness. At such times, He chose silence—not out of weakness, but as an act of divine wisdom. Proverbs 29:9 observes, “If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.” Jesus avoided such fruitless strife.

His silence instructs us: not every accusation deserves a response, and not every fool warrants correction. Sometimes, the most Christlike answer is none at all.

The Discernment of Jesus: Motives and Strategies in Speech

Jesus never followed a fixed formula of always answering or always remaining silent. Instead, He demonstrated flawless discernment, adjusting His response to each situation with divine wisdom. His actions reflected perfect motives and clear spiritual priorities. Several patterns emerge from His approach:

He understood the hearts of His challengers. The Gospels often note that Jesus “knew their thoughts” (Luke 11:17), “perceived their craftiness” (Luke 20:23), or discerned their hypocrisy. He saw beneath the surface and responded accordingly. As John 2:25 says, “He knew what was in man.” While we lack this omniscience, we are not without help. Through prayer and careful observation—especially of someone’s attitude and fruit—we can gain insight into whether a person is open to correction or merely trying to provoke (Matthew 7:16) “Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?”

His goal was always to fulfill the Father’s will, not to defend Himself. Jesus never answered out of wounded pride or a desire to win arguments. He spoke when truth needed to be upheld or when correction could help others. Conversely, He remained silent when an answer would serve no redemptive purpose or when silence itself aligned with His mission—especially during His trial, when He submitted to God’s redemptive plan. Unlike our fleshly impulse to defend ego, Jesus was free from that burden. His responses were always rooted in obedience and love.

He adapted His method to the moment. Sometimes Jesus quoted Scripture with authority (as with the Sadducees), sometimes He asked piercing questions (as with the chief priests), and at other times He used parables or proverbial wisdom. On occasion, He used irony or logical rebuttal, such as when He countered the charge of casting out demons by Beelzebub with: “If I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out” (Luke 11:19)? In other instances, He said nothing at all. His varied approach teaches us that wisdom is not rigid. We, too, must discern whether to answer with truth, question, silence, or reproof by the spirit and the situation.

He always aimed for the good of the hearers. Even when correcting the proud, Jesus’ responses carried a redemptive purpose. When He rebuked the Sadducees, He enlightened the crowd. When He said, “He that is without sin, let him cast the first stone,” He exposed hypocrisy while extending mercy. His hardest words— “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!”—were warnings born of love, intended to wake up hardened hearts and safeguard others. As Galatians 6:1 instructs, correction must be given “in a spirit of meekness.” “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Jesus never humiliated for sport or argued to win. He answered to help especially those in the household of faith.

In every encounter, Jesus exemplified speech governed by truth, humility, and love. His words were purposeful and precise, sometimes bold, sometimes restrained, but always guided by the spirit. In this way, He perfectly embodied the wisdom of Proverbs 26:4–5, showing us that discernment is not merely about what to say, but when and how to say it—and sometimes, whether to say anything at all.

Biblical Principles for Wise Speech and Silence

Scripture offers rich instruction on the discernment required in our speech. The life of Christ demonstrates these principles perfectly. Before exploring practical application, consider the biblical wisdom that frames when to speak and when to remain silent.

Avoid Becoming Like the Fool: “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him” (Proverbs 26:4). Engaging a fool on their own terms risks drawing us into the same folly—escalating arguments, trading insults, or legitimizing foolish assumptions. The New Testament echoes this caution: “Avoid foolish questions… knowing that they do gender strifes” (2 Timothy 2:23) and “avoid foolish… contentions, for they are unprofitable and vain” (Titus 3:9). Not every challenge deserves a response. Engaging the mocker often leads to fruitless debate, where wisdom is lost in the noise.

Correct When Necessary: “Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit” (Proverbs 26:5). At times, silence can be mistaken for agreement, allowing arrogance or error to spread unchecked. Ephesians 5:11 commands, “Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” There are moments when a loving, corrective answer is needed to protect others and halt deception. Jude 1:22–23 illustrates this balance: “And of some have compassion, making a difference: and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire.” Discernment guides us in knowing when to speak with gentle compassion and when to respond more firmly for the sake of truth.

Be Slow to Speak:  James 1:19 exhorts, “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” Hasty words often lead to regret. Proverbs 29:20 warns, “Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.” Even the wise can act foolishly if they speak rashly. Taking time to listen and reflect before responding allows room for wisdom to guide our words.

Speak with Grace and Truth:  Colossians 4:6 teaches, “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Our words should be both gracious and impactful—preserving truth while avoiding harshness. Ephesians 4:15 urges us to “speak the truth in love.” Even firm correction should be delivered with humility. “A soft answer turneth away wrath” (Proverbs 15:1), while harsh responses tend to escalate conflict. Tone, timing, and intent all matter. A wise person doesn’t just know what is true, but how and when to speak that truth.

Consider the Audience:  Jesus often spoke in public to correct folly for the sake of bystanders. Proverbs 26:5 warns against letting fools grow wise in their own eyes—especially if others are watching. Paul sometimes rebuked false teachers sharply (Galatians 2:11–14) to safeguard the flock: “But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.” Paul publicly corrected Peter for hypocritical behavior that could have compromised the gospel, demonstrating that even beloved leaders must be held to account when their actions mislead others. At other times, such as in Philippians 1:18, he ignored critics for the sake of peace. “What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.” Ask yourself: Will this answer help others understand truth, or simply stir more confusion? If others are at risk of being misled, it may be necessary to answer. If it’s a private scoffer seeking strife, silence may be wiser.

Guard Your Heart and Witness: Ecclesiastes 7:9 warns, “Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.” Engaging fools can stir up impatience, pride, or frustration. When our emotions lead, we risk speaking out of the flesh. Paul reminded Timothy, “The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men… in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves” (2 Timothy 2:24–25). Jesus responded without sin, and so must we. Sometimes silence protects our witness better than the sharpest argument. If our speech cannot be both true and edifying, it’s often better to say nothing at all.

In every case, discernment—shaped by humility, patience, and love—must govern our tongue. Sometimes wisdom calls for a rebuke; at other times, it calls for silence. Both can glorify God when used rightly.

Practical Application: Discerning When to Speak and When to Be Silent

(1 Peter 3:15) “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer…” Whether in a workplace conversation, an online thread, or a family discussion, Peter’s exhortation sets the posture: hearts first consecrated to Christ, mouths then prepared—yet meek—to defend the hope within us. The principles that follow help us discern when that answer clarifies truth and when silence better serves the gospel.

Pray for Discernment in the Moment:  Before speaking, pause to pray: “Lord, should I respond, or remain silent? Give me wisdom.” James 1:5 assures us that God gives wisdom generously to those who ask. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” Even a brief prayer during a conversation can help you recognize whether a response will help or harm. Sometimes Christ gives a check—an internal sense that it’s best to hold your peace. At other times, He brings a verse or truth to mind. When possible, take a moment to step back and reflect before replying.

Assess the Person’s Heart and Motives:  Proverbs distinguishes between types of fools. A mocker or scorner will likely reject correction and respond with hostility (Proverbs 9:7–8) “He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.  Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.” Jesus warned against casting pearls before swine—those who will trample truth underfoot (Matthew 7:6). On the other hand, someone who speaks foolishly out of ignorance may be open to gentle instruction. Ask yourself: Is this person teachable or simply combative? If they’re mocking, disengaging may be best. If they seem genuinely confused or hurting, a kind answer may plant a seed of truth.

Consider What’s at Stake:  Weigh the consequences of silence versus speech. Will a fool’s words mislead others or dishonor God? If so, a response may be necessary to protect others or correct error. In a group setting, a measured answer can guard weaker believers from deception. If the setting is hostile or the audience is a provocateur, silence may be more effective. Ask yourself:  Will this help anyone grow? Or will it feed strife?

Check Your Own Spirit:  Before responding, examine your motives. Are you feeling insulted or eager to win? If so, it’s likely best to wait. Proverbs 29:11 warns, “A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.” And Ephesians 4:29 reminds us to speak only what is edifying and gracious. “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” If you cannot speak in love, it may be wiser to remain silent until your heart is right. Jesus never answered from pride, and neither should we.

Respond with Clarity, Not Combativeness:  If a response is appropriate, speak clearly but calmly. A well-placed question, such as “Why do you ask?” or “What do you mean by that?” can reveal hidden motives and open a more constructive dialogue. When correcting, use Scripture where possible—it carries more weight than opinion. Keep your words concise and purposeful. Proverbs 10:19 reminds us: “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.” Say what needs to be said, then stop. Avoid being drawn into endless back-and-forth exchanges.

Know When to Walk Away:  If the conversation turns unproductive or the hearer remains obstinate, it’s okay to end the discussion. Jesus told His disciples that if a town rejected their message, they should shake the dust from their feet and move on (Matthew 10:14). Similarly, we must recognize when to withdraw from strife. A simple, respectful ending like “I don’t think this conversation is helpful right now” can protect your peace and witness.

Learn from Each Encounter:  Whether you spoke or stayed silent, reflect afterward. Did your words bring peace, clarity, or conviction? Or did they stir more confusion or pride? Seek feedback if needed, and grow from each experience. As James 3:2 reminds us, “In many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man.” Growth in speech is part of our sanctification. Seek counsel from mature believers if you’re unsure how you handled a situation – they might offer perspective per Proverbs 11:14 (“in the multitude of counselors there is safety”). Above all, stay humble.

Follow Christ’s Example:  Ultimately, our model is Jesus. Sometimes He answered sharply, other times gently, and often not at all. His responses were always wise, purposeful, and anchored in love for truth and people. As we seek to walk in His steps, may we also grow in knowing when to speak—and when not to.

Conclusion: Wisdom, Courage, and Love

Proverbs 26:4–5 is more than a literary paradox—it is a summons to walk in spiritual discernment. Jesus Christ embodied this perfectly. By observing when He chose to speak and when He remained silent, we not only learn strategies, but glimpse the heart behind them. His aim was always the same: to do the Father’s will, proclaim the truth, and love others—even when that love meant confronting folly or enduring mockery.

Our challenge is to follow His example. There’s no formula that fits every situation. If we abide in Scripture, cultivate humility, and stay attuned to the mind of Christ, we’ll grow in knowing what to say, when to say it, and when to stay silent. At times, we must “answer the fool”—not with anger, but with firm, spirit-led truth that stops error and corrects pride. At other times, we “answer not the fool”, choosing restraint over contention, avoiding the trap of stooping to their level. Both responses, when rightly discerned, bring glory to God.

Whether in leadership, teaching, conversations with family, or public witness, this balance is essential. Don’t let pride draw you into fruitless debate. And don’t let fear keep you silent when truth must be spoken. Discernment means walking closely with Christ, responding from His heart rather than from your own reactions.

In a noisy world filled with conflict and opinion, let us be people of wise, measured speech. As Isaiah 50:4 declares, “The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary.” May God grant us both that word in season—and the wisdom to know when silence speaks louder.