With allusion to proverbs xxvi. 5 (AV) Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
Ffor-sothe thou axest as a fol, and swich ansuere me schul the yive.
[c 1300 South-English Legendary (EETS) 494]
And thus they wente withoute ony sentence For to a folysshe demaunde behoueth a folysshe ansuere.
[1484 Caxton Aesop (1967) V. xiii. 158]
For Salomon the wise sayeth: Answer a foole according to his folishnes, like as I do now.
[1551 R. Robynson tr. T. More's Utopia i E4]
The fellow seeing a foolish question had a foolish answere, laid his legges on his neck, and got him gone.
[c 1600 Tarlton's Jests (1638) E2V]
A thraward [perverse] Question should a thraward Answer.
[1721 J. Kelly Scottish Proverbs 35]
If you ask me damned silly questions, I'm going to give you damned silly answers.
[1934 C. Ryland Murder on Cliff vi.]
No, don't bother to answer that. Ask a silly question and you get a silly answer.
[1969 ‘A. Gilbert’ Missing from her Home v.]
‘Are you happy at school?’ Ask a silly question. ‘It's all right.’ ‘What sort of answer is that?’ she cried in distress.
[1985 M. Wesley Harnessing Peacocks (1990) v. 46]
Related to: action and consequence; stupidity
Bibliography of major proverb collections and works cited from modern editions is available here.
