Proverbs 26:3-5

Expanded Bible

³ Whips are for horses, and ·harnesses [bridles] are for donkeys,
·so paddles are good for fools [^Land rods for the backs of fools].

⁴ Don’t answer fools when they speak foolishly,
or you will be just like them.

⁵ Answer fools when they speak foolishly,
or they will ·think they are really wise [^Lbe wise in their own eyes; ^Ca wise person must read the situation to know whether to answer or not].