Proverbs 18:19

19 A brother who is offended [is worse] than a city of strength, and quarrels [are] like the bars of a fortification.

Proverbs 18:19 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 18:19

A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city,
&c.] A fortified city may sooner be taken by an enemy, than one brother offended can be reconciled to another; their resentments against each other are keener than against another person that has offended them; and their love being turned into hatred, it is more bitter; and it is more difficult to compose differences between brethren than between enemies; wherefore such should take care that they fall not out by the way: this is true of brethren in a natural sense; as the cases of Abel and Cain, Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his brethren, Amnon and Absalom, and others, show; and of brethren in a spiritual sense, as Paul and Barnabas, Luther and Calvin, and others; and [their] contentions [are] like the bars of a castle:
which cannot be easily broken or cut asunder: so contentions, especially those among brethren, are with great difficulty made to cease, and their differences composed; they will stand it out against one another as long as a strong city, or a barred castle, against an enemy.

Proverbs 18:19 In-Context

17 The first in his dispute is [deemed] righteous, [but] his neighbor will come and examine him.

18 The lot will put an end to disputes, and between powerful contenders it will decide.

19 A brother who is offended [is worse] than a city of strength, and quarrels [are] like the bars of a fortification.

20 From the fruit of a man's mouth, his stomach will be satisfied, as for the yield of his lips, it will satisfy.

21 Death and life [are] in the {power} of the tongue, and those who love her will eat of her fruit.