34. David, therefore, was not always silent, but only for a time; not perpetually nor to all did he refuse to speak; but he used not to answer the enemy that provoked him, the sinner that exasperated him. As he says elsewhere: “As though he were deaf he heard not them that speak vanity and imagine deceit: and as though he were dumb he opened not his mouth to them.” Ps. xxxviii. [xxxvii.] 13. Again, in another place, it is said: “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like to him.” Prov. xxvi. 4.