NET, "The first twelve verses of this chapter, Prov 26:1–12, are sometimes called “the Book of Fools” because they deal with the actions of fools."
2 seemingly contraindicating statements,
26:4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
lest you yourself also be like him.
26:5 Answer a fool according to his folly,
lest he be wise in his own estimation.
NET, "...in negligible issues one should just ignore the stupid person (v.4), but in issues that matter the fool must be dealt with, lest credence be given to what he says (v.5)... One should not lower himself to the level of the fool (v.4), but there are times when the lesser of two evils is to do so, other than let the fool gain confidence that he is a wise person or be considered wise by others. (v.5)"
lest you yourself also be like him.
26:5 Answer a fool according to his folly,
lest he be wise in his own estimation.
NET, "...in negligible issues one should just ignore the stupid person (v.4), but in issues that matter the fool must be dealt with, lest credence be given to what he says (v.5)... One should not lower himself to the level of the fool (v.4), but there are times when the lesser of two evils is to do so, other than let the fool gain confidence that he is a wise person or be considered wise by others. (v.5)"
Other verses talked about do not give honor to the fool v.1, do not hire a fool to work for you v,6 and 10. Do not teach the proverb to the fool v.7, 9. A fool is hopeless v.11-12.
The interesting thing is this, how do you know you are not a fool? "A fool" usually means someone who despises God/wisdom (1:7). Here in 26:11-12,
26:11 Like a dog that returns to its vomit,
so a fool repeats his folly.
26:12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
so a fool repeats his folly.
26:12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
NET, "Fools repeat their disgusting mistakes, or to put it another way, whenever we repeat our disgusting mistakes we are fools. The proverb is affirming that no matter how many times a fool is warned, he never learns."
Examine ourselves, do we ever learn? Or we repeats our own mistake over and over again ? Are we wise in our own eyes? Whatever the Bible says about fool we never warn ourselves against them. Whatever the Bible says about the wise and we always think that is describing me??
Examine ourselves, do we ever learn? Or we repeats our own mistake over and over again ? Are we wise in our own eyes? Whatever the Bible says about fool we never warn ourselves against them. Whatever the Bible says about the wise and we always think that is describing me??
Yesterday I shared that the fool think he is wise is in his own eyes v.12.
Sluggard thinks that he is so smart so that he only needs to work with a minimum effort or least amount of time and gets the things down. However, everything is only "In his own estimation" and it is not corresponding to reality.
v.16 The sluggard is wiser in his own estimation
than seven people who respond with good senseSluggard thinks that he is so smart so that he only needs to work with a minimum effort or least amount of time and gets the things down. However, everything is only "In his own estimation" and it is not corresponding to reality.
God knows man's heart very well. He knows why we will be lazy. Do not overestimate ourselves and be lazy. Do you keep post phoning your work? Do not want to get up in the morning thinking you can be really quick and still make it?
Audrey
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