Mentioning Proverbs 26:4 and then mentioning Proverbs 26:5 is certainly not an example of "Jumping to a completely different bible verse", since Proverbs 26:5 is the verse which immediately follows the verse of Proverbs 26:4. But, yes it is good to not jump around in quotes of Bible verses (at least when not taking into account the context of their immediately surrounding verses).
peacefulpete, your question about those two verses is indeed a good one. I thought those two verses contradicted each other, until I read Konagirl's post which quoted from the Amplified Bible (AMP). The quoted Bible verses seem to be using a technique often used in by eastern philosophy (such as in Asia and in regards to Buddhism), which is done to get people to think deeply about a topic. For example see https://aeon.co/essays/the-logic-of-buddhist-philosophy-goes-beyond-simple-truth . That source says "When Western philosophers look East, they find things they do not
understand – not least the fact that the Asian traditions seem to
accept, and even endorse, contradictions."
Regarding Proverbs 26:5 (as worded by the AMP) it seems to be saying that if a person does not say anything in response to a foolish statement, the one who uttered the foolish statement will think that the other person agrees with him/her, and that as a result the wise one should correct the foolish one. I've thought about that principle a number of times when I read debate posts (and when I heard people speak something) in which people made a comment (whether as a statement or as a question) to me. Sometimes I thought I had to respond, but other times I thought it would probably be a waste of my time in responding since the person would be unconvinced by me and then make another statement I disagree with, or ask another question and that no consensus would result between us..
The study notes in The New Oxford Annotated Bible: Augmented Third Edition - New Revised Standard Version with the Apocrypha/Deuterocanonical Books - College Edition, An Ecumenical Study Bible (in 2007) edited by Michael D. Coogan, on pages [935 Hebrew Bible] - [936 Hebrew Bible] says the following.
'4-5: Juxtaposing the two sayings provokes reflection on their competing claims. Depending on the circumstances, one might interpret according to their folly to mean "in fools' terms" (v. 4) or "as fools deserve' (v. 5).'
The annotation in The New American Bible - Saint Joseph Edition: Illustrated (in 1991), a Catholic Bible, says the following. "26, 4f: There is no contradiction between these two proverbs. In any answer the wise man gives he must protect his own interest against the fool."
The New Bible Commentary: Revised (in 1970) edited by Guthrie and Motyer, on page 567 gives the following interpretation of the apparent contradiction of Proverbs 26:4-5. "It is more likely however that the difference is simply between profitless arguing with a fool at his own level and occasionally, lest he think he cannot be answered, meeting his prating with wisdom."
The International Bible Commentary with the New International Version (in 1986) edited by F. F. Bruce, on pages 683- 684 says the following regarding the two verses.
"Talking to him is a frustrating but unavoidable affair (4, 5). ... Verses 4, 5 are not naïvely contradictory, but amount to 'It needs insight to talk to a fool; sometimes humour him, sometimes rebuke him'."
A Commentary on The Holy Bible By Various Writers - Complete In One Volume (copyright in 1909 and reprinted in 1935) edited by Dummelow, on page 388 says "Answer or not, according to circumstances (Mt12:30 Mk 9:39)."
