PROVERBS 26
Warnings against Dishonorable Conduct.
V. 4. Answer not a fool according to his folly, by putting oneself on a level with him in speech and actions, lest thou also be like unto him, be placed in the same class with him by decent and intelligent people. V. 5. Answer a fool according to his folly, a sharp and decisive answer being framed to meet foolish remarks, lest he be wise in his own conceit, filled with the notion that he really possesses wisdom.
V.6. He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool, expecting him to represent his interests in a proper manner, cutteth off the feet, he puts himself in a helpless condition, he harms his own cause, and drinketh damage, harms, or injures, himself, he is bound to suffer abuse.
V. 7. The legs of the lame are not equal, they drag or dangle, they render him helpless in his walk; so is a parable in the mouth of fools, it is altogether awkward for him to use a proverb or maxim, as he cannot apply it properly.