Proverbes 16:14

14 La fureur du roi est un messager de mort; mais l'homme sage l'apaise.

Proverbes 16:14 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 16:14

The wrath of a king [is as] messengers of death
Or, "angels of death", as the Targum. As the wrath of Ahasuerus was to Haman; when it is either discovered in the countenance of a king, or expressed by his words, or signified by a messenger; it sometimes has been immediate death to a person, and often as terrible as if a messenger brought the sentence of death; yea, it is as if one messenger after another was sent on such an errand, and therefore the word is in the plural number. How terrible is the wrath of the King of kings; and even to kings themselves, who are represented as flying to rocks and mountains to hide them from it! ( Revelation 6:15-17 ) ; but a wise man will pacify it;
by a proper acknowledgment of the offence committed; or by a prudent representation of his case, or the case of his friends; by soft answers and strong arguments, as Jonathan pacified the wrath of King Saul his father against David. He is a wise man that believes in Christ, and pleads his propitiatory sacrifice for the expiation of his sin, at the same time frankly acknowledging it.

Proverbes 16:14 In-Context

12 Les rois doivent avoir horreur de faire le mal, car c'est la justice qui affermit le trône.
13 Les rois doivent prendre plaisir aux paroles justes, et aimer celui qui parle avec droiture.
14 La fureur du roi est un messager de mort; mais l'homme sage l'apaise.
15 Le visage serein du roi donne la vie; et sa faveur est comme la nuée qui porte la pluie de l'arrière-saison.
16 Combien il vaut mieux acquérir de la sagesse que de l'or fin! Et combien il est plus excellent d'acquérir de la prudence que de l'argent!
The Ostervald translation is in the public domain.