Proverbs 26:1-12 – Nine ways to handle a fool

The book of Proverbs has much to teach us on how to attain a great life. There are so many good examples we need to emulate. Of course, there are also those that we must avoid. We have already discovered many of them in the last 25 chapters we have reflected upon. Now in Proverbs 26, we will see emphasis of four characters that we all will interact with in life. Meeting fools in the course of life is inevitable. The pertinent question is when we meet one, how should we deal with him? In Proverbs 26:1-12, there are nine things we should or should not do when dealing with a fool. Let’s find out what they are.

Verse 1 tells us, firstly, that a fool should not be raised to a place of honor. He is not suitable for such a position. To put him up there is out of place. It is like having snow during summer or rain during winter.  Snow in summer will destroy one’s crops while rain in harvest would post a difficulty in terms of storing the harvest. Besides when a fool is in a position of honour, his folly will be confirmed and he might be given a false sense of his worth. What we really shouldn’t do is to create the opportunity for him to carry out his mischief.  

Verse 2 tells us, secondly, that we are not to fear a curse that had been pronounced without a reason. In the context of a fool, he does not take thought to what he says and will thoughtlessly pronounce a curse on another person without a logical cause. His curse need not be taken seriously and it will not take effect because it had been unjustly spoken. There is no reason to be unduly alarmed. This verse suggests that a curse does take effect when there is a just cause, hence it behoves us to be careful regarding speaking a word of condemnation on someone, especially our children. When curses are uttered for no justifiable causes, they will be like birds that fly aimlessly and not able to find a place to nest or land.

Verse 3 tells us, thirdly, that a fool cannot be disciplined with gentleness. To give advice will just fall on his deaf ears. Much like a horse or a donkey that needs some measures to get them moving, so also must a right measure be administered to discipline a fool. In getting a horse to move in the right direction, a rider will use a whip. And for a donkey, a bridle is usually used. But to get a fool to move in the right direction, some harsh and forceful measures will be required to instill discipline.

Verses 4-5 tell us, fourthly, that we cannot engage a debate with a fool on his terms. To deal with a fool on his terms is lowering one own’s standard and dignity. It is like wallowing in his folly. It will damage one’s own reputation to engage with him in his senseless argument. One clear way to deal with such a person is, to do to him what his folly deserves, simply walk away. This may bring him to his senses and awaken him to his folly. By walking away, he may be made aware to the truth that what he is saying is not worth listening. To stay back and engage him will give him that false idea that what he is saying is worth our attention.

Verse 6 tells us, fifthly, that to trust a fool to send an important message is reckless.  He lacks the capacity or the responsibility to be trusted with such an assignment. A fool has the tendency to distort your message. Instead of helping one’s cause, he may bring harm and even irreparable damage. To do so, it’s like shooting one’s own foot. Such a person cannot bear the responsibility of such an assignment. Verses 7 and 9 re-enforced this fact. His incapacity to decipher a message is like the useless legs of a cripple. His incapacity to distinguish what may hurt is like thorns in the hand of a drunkard, who has been rendered senseless by his excessive drinking.  

Verse 8 tells us, sixthly, that to praise a fool is incongruous. It is pointless to pay him honor because he cannot live up to the accolades given him. No one ties a stone to his sling if he wants to hurl it at a target. To give accolades to a fool is like tying the stone to one’s sling. It is useless and unfruitful to give praise to a fool.  

Verse 10 tells us, seventhly, that we should not hire a fool. His lacks of sense will hurt everyone like a reckless archer shooting his arrows needlessly at everyone. His incompetence will cause more harm than good. One may end up with an organization full of people who are hurt by his insensitivity. Wisdom dictates that to do a job well, we need to hire a competent worker to do so.    

Verses 11, tells us, eighthly, that a fool is incapable of correcting himself. He will keep on repeating a mistake. No one returns to the vomit that he has thrown out. Only dogs will, because it is senseless. But a fool will behave like that, he will return to his vomit. What’s worst than a fool is one who is wise in his own eyes. This the given in the ninth advice in verse 12. He is unteachable. At least with a fool with some harsh measures can be set right, but not so with one who is totally non-receptive. He is without hope because he is so conceited that he has shut out all avenues of correction. The point is this: to engage in correcting a fool is an exercise in futility. It will be more expedient to expand our energy in something more worthwhile.