Proverbs 26:5 NIV

Geneva Study Bible - Proverbs 26:5

26:5 Answer a fool {b} according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.(b) Reprove him as the matter requires. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 26:1-28

THIS SECONDCHAPTER of the series is clearly the Exodus section, the work of the enemy manifesting itself in various forms of opposition to the truth, beginning with foolishness and ending with hatred. To the end of verse 11 the fool is dealt with, then to the end of verse 16, the sluggard; verse 17 only, the meddler; verses 18 and 19, the trifler; to the end of verse 22, the talebearer; and lastly the dissembler. The real character of all enmity against the truth is here exposed thoroughly,... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Proverbs 26:1-28

This division of the book is introduced in the first verse of chapter 25, as the “proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, copied out.” What these words mean it is difficult to say, except in the general sense that the teachers of Hezekiah’s period selected and gathered together wise sayings that had been written, or handed down orally in previous generations. They may have been those of Solomon only, and yet his name may be attached to them simply because they were now... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Proverbs 26:1-28

Observations About Fools, Etc. Proverbs 26:0 Small birds, such as sparrows, are made for wandering, and the swallow is formed for flying, going where it pleases, and yet in both instances the flying amounting to little or nothing: so the curse causeless that is to say, a curse spoken without reason shall not come to any deadly effect; that is to say, it shall not reach the object towards which it was directed, it shall be but as a passing shadow and not as a crushing burden. Seed thrown upon... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Proverbs 26:1-16

Concerning Fools and Sluggards v. 1. As snow in summer and as rain in harvest, either possibility being suggested as something altogether unfitting, not to be expected, so honor is not seemly for a fool, it is not proper that he should have it, he is altogether unworthy of it. v. 2. As the bird by wandering, the sparrow flitting along, as the swallow by flying, the aimlessness of their ordinary flight being the point of comparison, so the curse causeless shall not come, that is, if it is... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Proverbs 26:1-28

2. Various Warnings, viz.:a) Against dishonorable conduct,(especially folly, sloth and malice)Chap. 261 As snow in summer and rain in harvest,so honor befitteth not the fool.2 As the sparrow flitting, as the swallow flying,so the curse undeserved: it cometh not.3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass,and a rod for the fool’s back.4 Answer not a fool according to his folly,lest thou be like him.5 Answer a fool according to his folly,lest he become wise in his own... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 26:1-28

Verse Proverbs 26:2. Therefore, if the heart knows that a curse is unjust it may rest in the certainty that it cannot harm. Verses Proverbs 26:3-12. In this group of proverbs the fool is the subject. The true method of dealing with him is that of chastisement. Caution is needed in answering him lest his folly be shared; and, on the other hand, lest he be not reproved. The fool is not to be trusted. A parable of a fool is useless. Give a fool honor, and it is to offer it where it is useless.... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 26:1-28

A Collection Of Solomon’s Proverbs (Proverbs 10:1 to Proverbs 29:27 ). Solomon’s presentation of The Book of Proverbs has followed the pattern of much Wisdom literature. This commenced with the initial heading detailing the details of the author and his purpose in writing (Proverbs 1:1-7), continued with a Prologue which laid the foundation for what was to follow (Proverbs 1:8 to Proverbs 9:18), and was then followed by the body of the work introduced by one or more subheadings. In Solomon’s... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 26:1-28

Proverbs 26:1-2 Kings : . The Book of Fools.— A section containing a series of synthetic couplets dealing with folly (except Proverbs 26:2). The text is unusually corrupt and defective. Proverbs 26:1 . For the opposite use of snow in harvest cf. Proverbs 25:13 *. Proverbs 26:2 . Directed against the superstitious belief in the magical value of a curse. The simile refers to the aimless wandering of a bird, and is not to be compared with the flying roll of curses in Zechariah 5:1-Numbers :.... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 26:5

According to his folly; so as his folly needs and requires, convincing him strongly, reproving him sharply, exposing him to just shame, and correcting him with a rod, when he deserves it, and thou hast a just power to use it. Lest he be wise in his own conceit; lest thy silence make him arrogant and presumptuous, as if his words were unanswerable. read more