See here the noble security of the scripture-style, which seems to
contradict itself, but really does not. Wise men have need to be
directed how to deal with fools; and they have never more need of
wisdom than in dealing with such, to know when to keep silence and when
to speak, for there may be a time for both. 1. In some cases a wise man
will not set his wit to that of a fool so far as to answer him
according to his folly "If he boast of himself, do not answer him by
boasting of thyself. If he rail and talk passionately, do not thou rail
and talk passionately too. If he tell one great lie, do not thou tell
another to match it. If he calumniate thy friends, do not thou
calumniate his. If he banter, do not answer him in his own language,
lest thou be like him, even thou, who knowest better things, who hast
more sense, and hast been better taught." 2. Yet, in other cases, a
wise man will use his wisdom for the conviction of a fool, when, by
taking notice of what he says, there may be hopes of doing good, or at
least preventing further, mischief, either to himself or others. "If
thou have reason to think that thy silence will be deemed an evidence
of the weakness of thy cause, or of thy own weakness, in such a case
answer him, and let it be an answer ad hominem--to the man, beat him at
his own weapons, and that will be an answer ad rem--to the point, or as
good as one. If he offer any thing that looks like an argument, an
answer that, and suit thy answer to his case. If he think, because thou
dost not answer him, that what he says is unanswerable, then give him
an answer, lest he be wise in his own conceit and boast of a victory."
For (Luke vii. 35) Wisdom's children must justify her.