Proverbs 14:29

29 [He who is] slow to anger [has] great understanding, but the hasty of spirit exalts folly.

Proverbs 14:29 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 14:29

[He that is] slow to wrath [is] of great understanding
Or "long in wrath" ^F5; it is long before he is angry; he is longsuffering, bears much and long, is very patient; such an one appears to understand himself and human nature, and has a great command over his passions; which shows him to be a man of great wisdom and understanding; but [he that is] hasty of spirit exalteth folly;
or is "short of spirit" ^F6; is soon angry; presently discovers resentment in his words, looks, and gestures; such an one "exalts folly", prefers it to wisdom, sets it above himself, and makes it his master: or he "lifts" it ^F7 up; exposes his folly to public view, so that it is seen of all men to his disgrace.

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FOOTNOTES:

F5 (Mypa Kra) "longus iris", Vatablus; "longus naribus", Montanus; "longus narium", Schultens.
F6 (xwr ruq) "brevis spiritu", Montanus, Vatblus. Cocceius, Merceus, Michaelis; "curtus spiritu", Schultens.
F7 (Mwrm) "attollit", Mercerus, Piscator; "alte proclamat", Schultens; "elevat", Baynus.

Proverbs 14:29 In-Context

27 The fear of Yahweh [is] a fountain of life, [in order] to turn from the snares of death.

28 In the multitude of people is the glory of the king, but without a population, a prince [is] ruined.

29 [He who is] slow to anger [has] great understanding, but the hasty of spirit exalts folly.

30 A heart of tranquility [is] life [to the] flesh, but causes bones of passion to rot.

31 He who oppresses the poor insults him who made him, but he who has mercy on the poor honors him.

Footnotes

• [a] Or "breath"