Proverbs 8:11

8:11 For wisdom is better than rubies,

and desirable things cannot be compared to her.

Proverbs 26:4

26:4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,

lest you yourself also be like him.


tn The verb יִשְׁווּ (yishvu, from שָׁוָה, shavah) can be rendered “are not comparable” or in a potential nuance “cannot be compared” with her.

sn One should not answer a fool’s foolish questions in line with the fool’s mode of reasoning (J. H. Greenstone, Proverbs, 274).

sn The person who descends to the level of a fool to argue with him only looks like a fool as well.