Proverbs 26:5 NIV

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 26:5

conceit = eyes. read more

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 26:4-5

Proverbs 26:4-5. Answer not a fool, &c.— They who choose to review antiquity, in its antique garb, will observe, that had the folly of these fools been only of one condition or denomination, then the advice to answer, and not to answer, had been repugnant to itself: but as their folly was of various kinds, in some of which to answer might offend the dignity, and in others not to answer might hurt the interests of truth; to answer, and not to answer is a consistent, and may, for aught... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 26:5

5. Answer—by reproof. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Proverbs 26:1-28

2. Fools and folly ch. 26The analogies in chapter 25 dealt with both wise and foolish conduct, but those in chapter 26 deal mainly with fools and folly. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Proverbs 26:4-5

These pieces of advice do not contradict each other because each is wise in its own way. Proverbs 26:4 means that in replying to a fool one should not descend to his level by giving him a foolish response (e.g., 2 Kings 18:36). Proverbs 26:5 means that one should correct a fool so he will not conclude that he is right (e.g., Nehemiah 6:8; Job 2:9-10). Some of a fool’s comments do not deserve a reply (Proverbs 26:4), but others require one (Proverbs 26:5). In unimportant matters one should... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 26:1-28

Fools. Sluggards. Talkers1-12. The vv. refer chiefly to fools.1. The Palestinian seasons were more regular than ours (1 Samuel 12:17). 2. This is a contradiction of the idea that the deity invoked in a curse was bound to inflict it (Genesis 27:33; Judges 17:2). The undeserved curse is compared to the aimless movements of a bird. 4, 5. Answer or not, according to circumstances (Matthew 12:30; Mark 9:39). 6. ’He that sends a fool means to follow him.’7. A fool is no more qualified to use a... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Proverbs 26:5

(5) Answer a fool according to his folly.—As his folly deserves, sharply and decisively, and in language suited to his comprehension. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Proverbs 26:1-28

Proverbs 26:7 'The legs of the lame are not equal:' so, says the wise man, 'is a parable in the mouth of fools'. That is to say, the parable in the mouth of fools is not equal; it fails of an all-round interpretation which will carry conviction concerning the truth which it seeks to emphasize and enforce. I. Some very good people pride themselves on the open mind. They look upon any one who may, upon any subject, arrive at any definite conclusion, which will commit them to any definite opinion,... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Proverbs 26:1-28

CHAPTER 27THE FOOL"As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not seemly for a fool…A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the back of fools. Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh in damage. The legs of the lame hang loose: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. As a... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Proverbs 26:1-28

CHAPTER 26 Concerning the Fool and the Sluggard Eleven times we meet the word fool in this chapter. Three different words are used in the Hebrew for fool. The first is “avil” which signifies weakness. The second word “kesil” occurs nearly fifty times, means fat or dense. The third word is the Hebrew “nabal,” which is derived from the verb to fade, or to wither; it means a vulgar, bad man who has given himself over to wickedness. The natural man in his condition, his darkened mind, his... read more

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 26:5

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 26:4-5

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 26:5

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Proverbs 26:1-28

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Proverbs 26:4-5

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 26:1-28

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Proverbs 26:5

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Proverbs 26:1-28

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Proverbs 26:1-28

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Proverbs 26:1-28

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