SHOULD WE ANSWER A FOOL ACCORDING TO HIS FOLLY?

Proverbs 26:4  Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. (KJV) Proverbs 26:5  Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. (KJV)

Of course, it should be noted that there are consecutive passages.  To call this a mistake would be like saying Charles Dickens made a mistake by beginning "Tale of Two Cities" with the phrase, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."  The author is pointing out the 'catch-22' in arguing with fools.  If we answer them, we may be considered fools also.  If we don't answer them, the fools may think they've stumped us and are wiser than us.  Not a contradiction.