Proverbi 25:15

15 Il principe si piega con sofferenza, E la lingua dolce rompe le ossa.

Proverbi 25:15 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 25:15

By long forbearing is a prince persuaded
To come into measures, and do that which his council and ministry advise him to, and to which he may seem at first very averse; but by a mild and gentle representation of things, by an humble submission of them to him, and by frequent remonstrances and patient waiting, his mind is softened, bent, and inclined to take their advice, and pursue the measures suggested to him; which, had they been pressed with heat, haughtiness, and haste, would have been rejected; and a soft tongue breaketh the bone;
or "hardness", as the Vulgate Latin version renders it; soft words, or words delivered in soft language, remove hardness and roughness from the minds of men; and work upon, influence, and bend men, whose wills are obstinate and stubborn, and make them pliable and tractable: so David, with a soft tongue, wrought upon Saul, his enemy; and Abigail, by her soft language, turned the mind of David, who was bent upon the destruction of Nabal, ( 1 Samuel 24:16 ) ( 25:32 ) ; see ( Proverbs 15:1 ) . Jarchi interprets this soft tongue of prayer and supplication, by which severe things against sinners are removed from them; and so he understands the former clause of the forbearance of God, which gives encouragement to sinners, to persuade him in their favour by repentance and prayer; see ( Matthew 18:26 Matthew 18:27 ) .

Proverbi 25:15 In-Context

13 Il messo fedele è, a quelli che lo mandano, Come il fresco della neve in giorno di ricolta; E ristora l’anima de’ suoi padroni.

14 L’uomo che si gloria falsamente di liberalità È simile alle nuvole, ed al vento senza pioggia.

15 Il principe si piega con sofferenza, E la lingua dolce rompe le ossa.

16 Se tu trovi del miele, mangiane quanto ti basta; Che talora, se tu te ne satolli, tu nol vomiti fuori.

17 Metti di rado il piè in casa del tuo prossimo; Che talora egli non si sazii di te, e ti odii.