Proverbs 29:11

11 A ¹fool always loses his temper, But a ²wise man holds it back.

Proverbs 29:11 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 29:11

A fool uttereth all his mind
At once; tells all he knows, all that is in his breast; whatever he thinks, and all that he intends to do; what or whom he loves or hates. Or, "a fool brings out all his wrath"; so the Targum, Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic versions: he cannot restrain it, nor hide it; it breaks out at once, even all of it, and is soon known, as in ( Proverbs 12:16 ) ; but a wise [man] keepeth it in till afterwards;
reserves his mind, and thoughts, and designs, to himself; and does not discover them until a proper opportunity offers, when to disclose them is most to advantage; or he restrains his wrath and anger, defers showing it to a proper time, when it may answer a better purpose, and he may do it without sin.

Proverbs 29:11 In-Context

9 When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, The foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest.

10 Men of bloodshed hate the blameless, But the upright are concerned for his life.

11 A fool always loses his temper, But a wise man holds it back.

12 If a ruler pays attention to falsehood, All his ministers become wicked.

13 The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives light to the eyes of both.

Cross References

• 1. Proverbs 12:16; Proverbs 14:33
• 2. Proverbs 19:11

Footnotes

• [a] Lit "sends forth all his spirit"