3 A whip is for a horse, a bridle for an ass, And a rod for  the back of fools.
         
                                
                        4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou be like  to him -- even thou.
         
                                
                        5 Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in  his own eyes.
         
                                
                        6 He is cutting off feet, he is drinking injury, Who is  sending things by the hand of a fool.
         
                                
                        7 Weak have been the two legs of the lame, And a parable in  the mouth of fools.
         
                                
                        8 As one who is binding a stone in a sling, So [is] he who is  giving honour to a fool.
         
                                
                        9 A thorn hath gone up into the hand of a drunkard, And a  parable in the mouth of fools.