Proverbes 25:8

8 Ne te hâte pas d'entrer en contestation, De peur qu'à la fin tu ne saches que faire, Lorsque ton prochain t'aura outragé.

Proverbes 25:8 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 25:8

Go not forth hastily to strive
To go to law with a neighbour; think well of it beforehand; consider the nature of the cause, whether right or wrong; or whether it is a matter of such moment as to go to law about; whether it will not be deemed a frivolous and vexatious suit; whether able to bear the expenses of it, and what may probably be the success of it; lest [thou know not] what to do in the end thereof;
for a livelihood, having spent all thy substance in the lawsuit, and so reduced to poverty as not to know how to live, or how and where to show thy face, through the disgrace that shall fall upon time by losing the cause; when that neighbour hath put thee to shame;
in open court, and proved himself to be in the right, and that thou art in the wrong; himself an honest man, and thee a litigious person.

Proverbes 25:8 In-Context

6 Ne t'élève pas devant le roi, Et ne prends pas la place des grands;
7 Car il vaut mieux qu'on te dise: Monte-ici! Que si l'on t'abaisse devant le prince que tes yeux voient.
8 Ne te hâte pas d'entrer en contestation, De peur qu'à la fin tu ne saches que faire, Lorsque ton prochain t'aura outragé.
9 Défends ta cause contre ton prochain, Mais ne révèle pas le secret d'un autre,
10 De peur qu'en l'apprenant il ne te couvre de honte, Et que ta mauvaise renommée ne s'efface pas.
The Louis Segond 1910 is in the public domain.