Proverbs 20:3

3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife; but every fool rusheth into it.

Proverbs 20:3 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 20:3

[It is] an honour for a man to cease from strife
As Abraham did, ( Genesis 13:7 Genesis 13:8 ) ; when engaged in a quarrel with his neighbour, or in a lawsuit, or in a religious controversy, especially when he finds he is in the wrong; and indeed, if he is in the right, when he perceives it is like to issue in no good, and is only about words to no profit, it is an honour to drop it; but every fool will be meddling;
with things he has no concern in, or is not equal to; yet will carry on the debate, though it is to his disgrace; see ( Proverbs 17:14 ) .

Proverbs 20:3 In-Context

1 Wine is a scorner, strong drink is raging; and whoso erreth thereby is not wise.

2 The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: he that provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.

3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife; but every fool rusheth into it.

4 The sluggard will not plough by reason of the winter; he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.

5 Counsel in the heart of man is deep water, and a man of understanding draweth it out.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or 'keep away.'