“As snow in summer and rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool…A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the fool’s back. Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes. He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence. Like the legs of the lame that hang limp is a proverb in the mouth of fools. Like one who binds a stone in a sling is he who gives honor to a fool. Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools. The great God who formed everything gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages. As a dog returns to his own vomit, so a fool repeats his folly” (Proverbs 26:1, 3-11).
Fact # 3: A fool must be responded to wisely (vv. 4-5).
On the surface these two proverbs may appear contradictory. They are not.
Every spoken statement has two primary ingredients—tone and content. The first proverb (v. 4) addresses the tone you take in responding to a fool’s discourteous, irreverent, and disrespectful tone. You should not respond in kind when answering a fool’s verbal vomit. The second proverb (v. 5) addresses the content of your response. Focus on the inaccuracies and faulty assumptions found in the content of a fool’s argument. Respond with facts, sound reasoning, and common sense.
There is no promise made that you will change a fool’s mind about anything. Your words when spoken with the right tone and truthful content may greatly benefit those who hear the conversation. Therefore, a fool must be responded to wisely.
You can respond with kindness and speak truth. However, you will still be perceived as evil. Of course God ALWAYS knows the truth.