Why if a fox (or jackal) tries to get over their miserable wall, even his light foot will break it down.
'Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.' We can picture to ourselves the burst of laughter with which this speech would be hailed by the bystanders, the officers and courtiers of Sanballat.
What does Nehemiah answer?
How does he reply to this cruel ridicule, these sharp, cutting, insolent words, that provoking laughter?
If we study Nehemiah's character, we shall find that he was a man of quick feelings and of a sensitive nature.

He was not one of those men who are so thick-skinned that hard speeches are not felt by them.

He was moreover a man of great power and spirit.

He must have felt much inclined to give Tobiah the bitter retort he so richly deserved, or to call upon his men to drive Sanballat and his party from the walls.
But Nehemiah speaks not.

He does not utter a single word to Sanballat or to his friends.