Proverbs 26

A gallery of fools, slackers, gossips, and liars. Verses 4 and 5 deliberately contradict each other: don't answer a fool by his folly; answer a fool by his folly. Wisdom is knowing which situation you're in, not applying rules mechanically. That's an important key for reading all of Proverbs. Being "wise in his own eyes" is worse than being a fool. An undeserved curse doesn't land. Gossip feeds conflict like wood feeds fire.

"Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes." (Proverbs 26:4-5)

"Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, a conflict ceases." (Proverbs 26:20)