Three Clues

(Pro 26:4 KJV)  Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

What is a “fool’s” (3684) “folly” (200)?  I did a search of these two words together and only found them matched in Proverbs, six times.  That is enough to give us some indications. 
A fool’s folly is grounded in ignorance.  This implies that knowledge is available but the fool refuses to seek it out or pay attention.

A fool repeats his foolish actions.  There was a quote thrown around in the last general election about people who repeat the same actions and expect different results.  Those are fools.

Fools also tend to react entirely on emotion.  If you push their button they go ballistic.

So?  Being a fool is something we can create or avoid.  Seek knowledge.  Learn from your mistakes.  Beware of emotion.  Three steps that will lead away from being a fool.