Proverbs 26: Fools, Slackers, and Deceivers

This chapter gathers sayings about the fool, including paired advice on when to answer him and when not to. It then mocks the lazy man and his excuses and warns against meddling, gossip, flattery, and hatred disguised by smooth words, which will be exposed.

Reading level: General

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Question 1 of 12 · 0 correct so far

Verses 26:4 and 26:5 give opposite-sounding instructions about replying to a fool. How do they fit together?

The first applies only to kings, while the second is for ordinary peopleNeither can be followed, so it is best to avoid all fools entirelyThe second saying cancels the first, so a fool should always be answeredEach warns of a different danger, and wisdom discerns which fits the moment