26:4. Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou be made like him.
Answer not a fool, etc... Viz., so as to imitate him but only so as to reprove his folly.
26:5. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he imagine himself to be wise.
26:6. He that sendeth words by a foolish messenger, is lame of feet and drinketh iniquity.
26:7. As a lame man hath fair legs in vain: so a parable is unseemly in the mouth of fools.
26:8. As he that casteth a stone into the heap of Mercury: so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
26:9. As if a thorn should grow in the hand of a drunkard: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
26:10. Judgment determineth causes: and he that putteth a fool to silence, appeaseth anger.
26:11. As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is the fool that repeateth his folly.
26:12. Hast thou seen a man wise in his own conceit? there shall be more hope of a fool than of him.