Proverbs 25:15

15 With patience you can convince a ruler, and a gentle word can get through to the hard-headed.

Proverbs 25:15 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 25:15

By long forbearing is a prince persuaded
To come into measures, and do that which his council and ministry advise him to, and to which he may seem at first very averse; but by a mild and gentle representation of things, by an humble submission of them to him, and by frequent remonstrances and patient waiting, his mind is softened, bent, and inclined to take their advice, and pursue the measures suggested to him; which, had they been pressed with heat, haughtiness, and haste, would have been rejected; and a soft tongue breaketh the bone;
or "hardness", as the Vulgate Latin version renders it; soft words, or words delivered in soft language, remove hardness and roughness from the minds of men; and work upon, influence, and bend men, whose wills are obstinate and stubborn, and make them pliable and tractable: so David, with a soft tongue, wrought upon Saul, his enemy; and Abigail, by her soft language, turned the mind of David, who was bent upon the destruction of Nabal, ( 1 Samuel 24:16 ) ( 25:32 ) ; see ( Proverbs 15:1 ) . Jarchi interprets this soft tongue of prayer and supplication, by which severe things against sinners are removed from them; and so he understands the former clause of the forbearance of God, which gives encouragement to sinners, to persuade him in their favour by repentance and prayer; see ( Matthew 18:26 Matthew 18:27 ) .

Proverbs 25:15 In-Context

13 Trustworthy messengers refresh those who send them, like the coolness of snow in the summertime.

14 People who brag about gifts they never give are like clouds and wind that give no rain.

15 With patience you can convince a ruler, and a gentle word can get through to the hard-headed.

16 If you find honey, don't eat too much, or it will make you throw up.

17 Don't go to your neighbor's house too often; too much of you will make him hate you.