Bible Commentaries

Answer not a fool ^a according to his folly, lest thou also be like him.

(a) Consent not to him in his doings.

Answer a fool ^b according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

(b) Reprove him as the matter requires.

He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off ^c the feet, ^d [and] drinketh damage.

(c) That is, of the messenger whom he sends.

(d) That is, receives damage by it.

[As] a thorn goeth ^e up into the hand of a drunkard, so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools.

(e) By which he hurts both himself and others.

^f The great [God] that formed all [things] both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.

(f) Meaning God.

Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? [there is] ^g more hope of a fool than of him.

(g) For the fool would rather be counselled than he: also the fool sins out of ignorance, and the other out of malice.

The slothful [man] saith, ^h [There is] a lion in the way; a lion [is] in the streets.

(h) Read (Proverbs 22:13).

So [is] the man [that] deceiveth ⁱ his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

(i) Who disguises himself to be that which he is not.

Burning lips and ^k a wicked heart [are like] a potsherd covered with silver dross.

(k) They will soon break out and utter themselves.

When he speaketh kindly, believe him not: for [there are] ^l seven abominations in his heart.

(l) Meaning many: he uses a certain number for the uncertain.

[Whose] hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be revealed before the [whole] ^m congregation.

(m) In the assembly of the godly.