The fool's chapter, with its famous facing pair: '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' (26:4-5), wisdom as knowing which moment demands which. As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is a fool that repeateth his folly (2 Peter 2:22). The sluggard says, 'There is a lion in the way.' Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; 'so where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.' Fervent lips with a wicked heart are an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.

Drawn from Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory and Matthew Henry, Complete Commentary.

Context

Poetry · Solomon, Agur, Lemuel — Proverbs overview

A. 1–12 Answer a Fool According to His Folly — and Answer Him Not
B. 13–16 The Sluggard: There Is a Lion in the Way
C. 17–28 Where No Wood Is, the Fire Goeth Out

Top cross-references8 chapters ▾

Proverbs 104 verses
- Proverbs 10:13In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
- Proverbs 10:18He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.
- Proverbs 10:23It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
- Proverbs 10:26As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.
- Read Proverbs 10 →
Proverbs 264 verses
- Proverbs 26:1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
- Proverbs 26:5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
- Proverbs 26:9As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
- Proverbs 26:12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
- Read Proverbs 26 →
Proverbs 193 verses
- Proverbs 19:10Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
- Proverbs 19:15Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
- Proverbs 19:24A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
- Read Proverbs 19 →
Proverbs 153 verses
- Proverbs 15:18A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
- Proverbs 15:19The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
- Proverbs 15:21Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
- Read Proverbs 15 →

4 more chapters this one speaks with

Proverbs 123 verses
- Proverbs 12:15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
- Proverbs 12:20Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
- Proverbs 12:24The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
- Read Proverbs 12 →
Proverbs 282 verses
- Proverbs 28:10Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.
- Proverbs 28:16The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
- Read Proverbs 28 →
1 Peter 32 verses
- 1 Peter 3:9Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
- 1 Peter 3:15But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
- Read 1 Peter 3 →
Proverbs 252 verses
- Proverbs 25:13As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
- Proverbs 25:18A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
- Read Proverbs 25 →

Cross-references from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and OpenBible.info.