Proverbs 29:11

11 A fool gives full vent to his anger,^[a] but a wise man holds it in check.^[b]

Proverbs 29:11 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 29:11

A fool uttereth all his mind
At once; tells all he knows, all that is in his breast; whatever he thinks, and all that he intends to do; what or whom he loves or hates. Or, "a fool brings out all his wrath"; so the Targum, Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic versions: he cannot restrain it, nor hide it; it breaks out at once, even all of it, and is soon known, as in ( Proverbs 12:16 ) ; but a wise [man] keepeth it in till afterwards;
reserves his mind, and thoughts, and designs, to himself; and does not discover them until a proper opportunity offers, when to disclose them is most to advantage; or he restrains his wrath and anger, defers showing it to a proper time, when it may answer a better purpose, and he may do it without sin.

Proverbs 29:11 In-Context

9 If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be ranting and raving but no resolution.

10 Bloodthirsty men hate an honest person, but the upright care about him.

11 A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man holds it in check.

12 If a ruler listens to lies, all his servants will be wicked.

13 The poor and the oppressor have this in common: the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.

Footnotes

• [a] Lit spirit
• [b] Pr 16:32; 25:28