Proverbs 26:5-9

New International Version

⁵ Answer a fool according to his folly,
    or he will be wise in his own eyes.^(A)
6 Sending a message by the hands of a fool^(B)
    is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.
⁷ Like the useless legs of one who is lame
    is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.^(C)
8 Like tying a stone in a sling
    is the giving of honor to a fool.^(D)
9 Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand
    is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.^(E)