John Trapp on Proverbs 26:4

Verſ. 4. Anſwer not a fool according to his folly] When either he curſeth thee, as verſe 2, or cryeth out upon thee for giving him due correction (verſe 3.) for every publike perſon had need to carry a ſpare handkerchief, to wipe off the dirt of diſgrace and obloquy caſt upon him for doing his duty. Paſs ſuch an one by in ſilence,Chryſoſt. as not worthy the anſwering. Sile, et funeſtam dediſti plagam, ſay nothing, and you pay him to purpoſe. Hezekiah would not anſwer Rabſhakeh, nor Jeremy Hananiah, chap. 28.11. nor our Saviour his adverſaries, Mat. 26.26. John 19.9. he reviled not his revilers, hee threatned not his open oppoſites, 1 Pet. 2.23.

Leſt thou alſo be like unto him] As hot and as head-long as he; for a little thing kindles us, and we are apt to think that we have reaſon to be mad, if evil-intreated: to talk as faſt for our ſelves, as he doth againſt us, and to give him as good as he brings: ſo that at length there will be never a wiſer of the two, and people will ſay ſo.