Proverbs 29:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.

NIV: If a wise person goes to court with a fool, the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.

NASB: When a wise person has a controversy with a foolish person, The foolish person either rages or laughs, and there is no rest.

CSB: If a wise person goes to court with a fool, there will be ranting and raving but no resolution.

NLT: If a wise person takes a fool to court, there will be ranting and ridicule but no satisfaction.

KJV: If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.

NKJV: If a wise man contends with a foolish man, Whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace.

It is tempting to bicker with an irrational, unfair, immoral person. One feels a natural desire to silence a fool, if for no other reason than to stop hearing their nonsense (Proverbs 27:3). That's not always a good idea (Proverbs 26:4), nor is it always possible. Some "fools" are deliberately closed to reason; they bicker and argue because they enjoy the attention and feeling of being in control. Such are the "scoffers" mentioned in other proverbs (Proverbs 9:7; 29:8). They are not interested in truth, and may not even care about winning the argument, but only love tricking others into playing their games. Arguing reasonably may only make them angry (Matthew 7:6) and would be a waste of time (Titus 3:9–11).

Worse is when the "fool" successfully baits someone into revenge or overreaction. David was enraged by Nabal—whose name literally means fool—but Nabal's wife persuaded David not to retaliate (1 Samuel 25:25–26). She brought the supplies David had requested and advised him that he would "have no cause of grief or pangs of conscience for having shed blood without cause or for my lord working salvation himself" (1 Samuel 25:31). David replied, in part, "Blessed be the Lᴏʀᴅ, the God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! Blessed be your discretion, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodguilt and from working salvation with my own hand!" (1 Samuel 25:32–33).

Proverbs 29:1–11 begins with an especially dire warning. Solomon (Proverbs 25:1) contrasts righteous government to wicked rulers. The passage also cautions against deception and points out that righteousness is shown in being charitable to the poor. Arguing with fools is pointless, but there is great value in keeping one's temper in check.

Much of this passage refers to negative consequences of unwise attitudes or behavior: stubbornness leads to brokenness. Lack of self-control brings shame. Ignorant, ungodly rulers spread sin and corruption. Pride leads to humiliation. Most of these statements follow the two-part pattern established elsewhere in the book of Proverbs. The final lesson summarizes the deep difference between those who are godly and those who pursue their own desires.

This concludes the collection of Solomon's proverbs which King Hezekiah's men collected (Proverbs 25:1). Like previous passages, chapter 29 contrasts wisdom and folly, the benefits of heeding God's law and the devastating consequences of disobeying it, and the blessings of righteousness compared to the curses of sin.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.