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Pro_26:4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
Ver. 4. Answer not a fool according to his folly.] When either he curseth thee, {as Pro_26:2} or cryeth out upon thee for giving him due correction {Pro_26:3} - for every public person had need to carry a spare handkerchief, to wipe off the dirt of disgrace and obloquy cast upon him for doing his duty, - pass such a one by in silence, as not worthy the answering. Sile, et funestam dedisti plagam, say nothing, and you play him to purpose. {a} Hezekiah would not answer Rabshakeh, nor Jeremiah Hananiah; {Jer_28:11} nor our Saviour his adversaries. {Mat_26:62 Joh_19:9} He reviled not his revilers, he threatened not his open opposites. {1Pe_2:23}
Lest thou also be like unto him.] As hot and as headlong as he; for a little thing kindles us, and we are apt to think that we have reason to be mad, if evil entreated; to talk as fast for ourselves as he doth against us, and to give him as good as he brings; so that at length there will be never a wiser of the two, and people will say so.
{a} Chrysost.