It may at first sound as if there is a contradiction in the Proverbs at chapter 26:4, 5 Verse four reads: “Do not answer anyone stupid according to his foolishness, that you yourself also may not become equal to him.” But verse five says: “Answer someone stupid according to his foolishness, that he may not become someone wise in his own eyes.” NWT However, there is no contradiction here. Rather, what is being said is that the verses simply contrast the right and the wrong ways to answer a stupid person. Verse four gives instruction not to answer a stupid person in harmony with his foolishness in the sense of resorting to his degrading methods of argument—ridicule, attacks on personalities, loud boisterous talk, fits of rage, and so forth. One would thereby show oneself to be on the same level as the stupid one, and that is what the latter part of verse four warns against. So, it is the second part of the verse that indicates how the first part is to be understood.—Take a look at Proverbs 20:3; 29:11. and compare that. On the other hand, it would be right to answer the stupid one “according to his foolishness” in the sense of analyzing his contentions, exposing them as being ridiculous. Showing that his arguments lead to entirely different conclusions from those he has drawn would be deterrent to his continuance in his stupid way. It would also serve as a reproof and a rebuke. He should not feel so smart after all. Enforcing the consequences of a foolish argument, that is, demonstrating the absurdity and undesirability to which that viewpoint leads, is one of the best ways of dealing with this kind of an argument.

Roll in the "Slop" of the Pig Pen & Look & Smell like a Pig! John (Brevity Rating Please???) LOL

To me, it looks like the Bible was running to too few pages and this is part of the filler that got added. But it seems to advocate pointing out to stupid people just how stupid they are being, which is something I love to do and am well practised in, so I'm happy to leave it in. I'm also happy for the bit about shunning menstruating women to be left in as well, because that is excellent advice no matter how un-PC it might sound.

From the obi wan kanobi bible: Who's the more foolish: The fool, or the fool who follows him?

mine says: 4,5 When arguing with a rebel, don't use foolish arguments as he does, or you will become as foolish as he is !Prick(reply to a fool as his folly requires) his conceit with silly replies! I am not sure which proverb it is but it more or less says : those who THINK of themselves as WISE, are really FOOLS..REBELS BELIEVE THEMSELVES TO BE VERY WISE.

It's nothing but a book of debauchery with a few nice things added so you can make the claim it's all good.