Wisdom in Conflict

Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.
- Proverbs 26:4–5

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Foolish person:
- Conceals the offense
- Slanders the offender
- Becomes the offense

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Wise person:
- Resists superiority
- Resists exaggeration
- Graceful in confrontation

Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.
- Proverbs 10:18

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Do not testify against your neighbor without cause — would you use your lips to mislead? Do not say, “I’ll do to them as they have done to me; I’ll pay them back for what they did.”
- Proverbs 24:28–29

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Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.
- Proverbs 11:12

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Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
- Proverbs 17:9

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If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.
- Proverbs 25:21–22

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Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.
- Proverbs 27:6

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Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
- Romans 12:19-20