independently and applied to different situations, but when they are placed in a literary context juxtaposed with one another, the second proverb becomes a cautionary limitation to the first proverb. The meaning is that it is dangerous to respond to a fool, but the wise have a duty to speak up.27 The meaning of the individual proverb in 26:4 is changed, because the wise must now speak up. Waltke argues that proverbs are absolutely true, not situationally true, and so Proverbs 26:4 and 26:5 are both