etymology - Origin of "do not argue with idiots"



What is the origin of the phrase “do not argue with idiots”? Please cite some credible references.


From googling around, I found these three variations. One came from the Bible but I couldn’t find any credible source for the other two.




  1. Don’t argue with idiots because they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience. —Greg King

  2. Never argue with a fool; onlookers may not be able to tell the difference. —Mark Twain

  3. Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. —Proverbs 26:4 (King James version)



As you can see, only the last one is easily verifiable.




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