Proverbs 26:5
“Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.”
What does Proverbs 26:5 mean?
When someone is foolish or stubborn, sometimes the kindest thing is to respond in a way that shows them the absurdity of their own thinking. This proverb acknowledges that silence or dignity might actually embolden them further, making them feel justified and clever. By answering "according to his folly," you're essentially meeting them where they are, perhaps even mirroring back the illogic they've spoken, so they can see it for what it is. The goal isn't to match their meanness but to help them recognize the weakness in their position before they become so convinced of themselves that there's no reaching them at all.