Proverbs 15:18

18 A hot-tempered man stirs up conflict, but a man slow to anger calms strife.^[a]

Proverbs 15:18 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 15:18

A wrathful man stirreth up strife
A man of a wrathful disposition, of a furious spirit, of an angry temper; that is under the power and dominion of such a passion, and indulges it, and takes all opportunities to gratify it; he stirs up strife and contention where there was none, or where it was laid; as a man stirs up coals of fire and raises a flame; see ( Proverbs 26:21 ) . He stirs up strife in families, sets one relation against another, and the house in an uproar; he stirs up contentions in neighbourhoods, and sets one friend and neighbour against another, whence proceed quarrels and lawsuits: he stirs up strife in churches, breaks brotherly love, and causes animosities and divisions; he stirs up strife in kingdoms and states, whence come wars and fightings, confusion, and every evil work; but [he that is] slow to anger appeaseth strife:
a man of a quiet and peaceable disposition, possessed of the true grace of charity; who is not easily provoked, longsuffering, bears and endures all things; he allays the heat of anger; he quenches the coals of contention; he calms the storm and makes it quiet, as the word ^F15 signifies; he

``mitigates strifes raised,''

as the Vulgate Latin version renders it; he composes differences, reconciles the parties at variance, and makes all hush and still; and so prevents the ill consequences of contention and strife.

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FOOTNOTES:

F15 (jyqvy) "faciet quiescere", Pagninus, Montanus; "sedat", Mercerus, Michaelis; so Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Gejerus; "sedabit", Schultens.

Proverbs 15:18 In-Context

16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure with turmoil.

17 Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred.

18 A hot-tempered man stirs up conflict, but a man slow to anger calms strife.

19 A slacker's way is like a thorny hedge, but the path of the upright is a highway.

20 A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish one despises his mother.

Footnotes

• [a]. Pr 19:19; 22:24-25; 29:22