⁴Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him. ⁵ Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes. ⁶ Sending a message by the hands of a fool is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison. ⁷ Like the useless legs of one who is lame is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. ⁸ Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool. ⁹ Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. PRO.26.4-9