If a wise man contends with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
If a wise man contends with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
If a wise man hath a controversy with a foolish man, Whether he be angry or laugh, there will be no rest.
If a wise man goes to law with a foolish man, he may be angry or laughing, but there will be no rest.
If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rageth or laugheth, there is no rest.
If a wise man goes to court with a foolish man, the fool rages or scoffs, and there is no peace.
If a wise man hath a controversy with a foolish man, whether he be angry or laugh, there will be no rest.
Whether he rage or laugh - Coverdale translates, "Yf a wyse man go to lawe with a foole, whether he deale with him frendly or roughly he geteth no rest."
All modes of teaching - the stern rebuke or the smiling speech - are alike useless with the "foolish" man; there is "no rest." The ceaseless cavilling goes on still.
29:9 Whether - Whether he, the wise man, deal sharply with him, or mildly, there is no rest, no end or fruit of the debate.