Proverbs 26:5
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
Cross-references
Proverbs 26:12 expands on the danger: a self-wise man is worse than a fool, illustrating the outcome that answering a fool aims to prevent.
Proverbs 23:9 advises silence before a fool who despises wisdom, offering a contrasting tactic to answering a fool.
Proverbs 28:11 parallels the theme of being wise in own eyes, contrasting a rich fool with a poor discerning person.
Isaiah 5:21 pronounces woe on those wise in their own eyes, directly condemning the attitude that Proverbs 26:5 warns against.
In Matthew 15:1-3, Jesus responds to Pharisees' tradition question by exposing their hypocrisy — a vivid example of answering a fool according to his folly.
In Matthew 21:23-27, Jesus answers the chief priests' authority question with a counter-question — classic example of turning a trap using the fool's own words.
In Matthew 22:15-32, Jesus evades traps from Pharisees and Sadducees by answering with wisdom — directly applying the principle of answering a fool.
In Luke 12:13-21, Jesus warns against covetousness and tells the rich fool parable — using the man's request to expose his folly.
Romans 11:25 uses 'wise in your own sight' to warn against arrogance about God's plan, directly echoing the proverb's warning.
Romans 12:16 commands 'never be wise in your own sight,' applying the same principle to Christian humility.
In Titus 1:13, Paul instructs rebuking Cretans sharply — a concrete application of correcting fools to prevent them from remaining self-deceived.
In Luke 20:26, Jesus' wise answer silences the Pharisees — a perfect example of answering a fool according to his folly to prevent self-exaltation.
In Luke 20:40, the outcome of Jesus' answer matches the proverb: the fool's questions cease, fulfilling 'lest he be wise in his own eyes'.
In Matthew 16:1-4, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees' demand for a sign — answering their folly by calling them wicked, yet not giving the sign they sought.
Colossians 4:6 calls for gracious, seasoned speech — a broader principle that includes the wisdom of answering a fool appropriately.