Proverbs 26:5 (BSB)

Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.

From Proverbs 26. Also in the ESV.

Commentary on Proverbs 26:5

• Matthew Henry (Presbyterian), Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on Proverbs 26:4-5: See here the noble security of the scripture-style, which seems to contradict itself, but really does not. Wise men have need to be directed how to deal with fools; and they have never more need of wisdom than in dealing with such, to know when to keep silence and when to speak, for there may be a time for both. 1.
• John Gill (Reformed Baptist), Exposition of the Old and New Testaments on Proverbs 26:5: Answer a fool according to his folly,.... The Targum is, "but speak with a fool in thy wisdom;'' and the Syriac version, "yea, speak with a fool according to thy wisdom;'' which would at once remove the seeming contradiction in these words to the former, but then they are not a true version; indeed it is right, and must be the sense, that when a...
• Geneva Bible Notes (Reformed), Geneva Bible Study Notes on Proverbs 26:5: Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. (b) Reprove him as the matter requires.
• Keil & Delitzsch (Lutheran), Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament on Proverbs 26:5: Pro 26:5 5 Answer the fool according to his folly, Lest he regard himself as wise. ענה־כסיל (with Makkeph, and Gaja, and Chatef) here stands opposed to אל־תען כסיל. The Gospel of John, e.g., Joh 5:31, cf. Pro 8:31, is rich in such apparently contradictory sayings.