Proverbs 15:18

18 ¹A hot-tempered man ²stirs up strife, but he who is ³slow to anger quiets contention.

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 is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it.

17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it.

18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.

19 The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway.

20 A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

Cross References

• 1. 15:18 ch. 29:22; [ch. 16:28; 26:21]
• 2. 15:18 ch. 28:25
• 3. 15:18 See ch. 14:29