This Proverbs passage does not contradict itself; it teaches discernment.
Answering a fool in the same mocking, arrogant spirit he uses is to sink to his level and imitate his behavior. Responding to railing with railing only multiplies folly. Yet allowing foolish and uninformed claims to go unchallenged can reinforce the fool’s confidence, making him “wise in his own eyes.” Wisdom, therefore, lies in knowing how and when to answer.
The principle is this: Answering a fool in his tone degrades you; refusing to answer at all may bolster him even further.
The rabbis recognized this balance and distinguished between the following:
- Common or trivial matters, which need not be answered, and
- Sacred matters, especially the teaching of Torah, which must be defended.
As the Talmud states: “In matters of Torah, answer; in ordinary matters, do not answer.” (b. Shabb. 2:5)