Provérbios 18:17

17 O que primeiro começa o seu pleito parece justo; até que vem o outro e o examina.

Provérbios 18:17 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 18:17

He that is first in his own cause [seemeth] just
As perhaps Tertullus did, before Paul made his defence; and as Ziba, Mephibosheth's servant, before his master detected him: this often appears true in telling a tale, in private conversation, in lawsuits before a judge and a court of judicature, and in theological controversies; but his neighbour cometh, and searcheth him;
his neighbour comes into the house, where he is telling his tale, and reports it in another manner, and shows the falsehood of his relation; or he comes into a court of judicature, and sets the cause in quite another light; or he comes out into the worm by public writing, and exposes the errors of a man engaged in a wrong cause, and refutes his arguments. It is generally understood of judicial affairs, that the first that opens a cause is very apt to prejudice the judge and court in his favour, and they are ready to thing at first hearing that he is in the right; but it is not proper to be hasty in forming a judgment till the other side is heard; for his antagonist comes and traverses the point, unravels the whole affair, shows the weakness of his cause, the vanity of his pretences, and makes void all his allegations; and then "he", the judge, so some interpret it, "searcheth"; inquires more narrowly into the case, in order to find out truth, and pass a right judgment and sentence.

Provérbios 18:17 In-Context

15 O coração do entendido adquire conhecimento; e o ouvido dos sábios busca conhecimento;

16 O presente do homem alarga-lhe o caminho, e leva-o � presença dos grandes.

17 O que primeiro começa o seu pleito parece justo; até que vem o outro e o examina.

18 A sorte faz cessar os pleitos, e decide entre os poderosos.

19 um irmão ajudado pelo irmão é como uma cidade fortificada; é forte como os ferrolhos dum castelo.