Proverbios 27:16

16 El que pretende contenerla, arresta el viento: O el aceite en su mano derecha.

Proverbios 27:16 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 27:16

Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind
Whoever attempts to stop her brawls and contentions, to repress and restrain them, and hinder her voice being heard in the streets, and endeavours to hide the shame that comes upon herself and family, attempts a thing as impossible as to hide the wind in the palm of a man's hand, or to stop it from blowing; for as that, by being restrained or pent up by any methods that can be used, makes the greater noise, so, by all the means that are used to still a contentious woman, she is but the more noisy and clamorous, and becomes more shameful and infamous; and the ointment of his right hand, [which] bewrayeth [itself]:
or "will call" or "calls" F8, and says, in effect, Here am I; for the smell of it, which cannot be hid when held in a man's hand, betrays it; and the faster he holds it, and the more he presses and squeezes it, and the more it is heated hereby, the more it diffuses its savour, and is known to be where it is; and so all attempts to stop the mouth of a brawling woman does but cause her to brawl the louder.


FOOTNOTES:

F8 (arqy) "clamabit", Pagninus, Montanus, Munster, Vatablus, Mercerus; "vocabit", Baynus; "clamat", Piscator, Michaelis; "praeconem agit", Schultens.

Proverbios 27:16 In-Context

14 El que bendice á su amigo en alta voz, madrugando de mañana, Por maldición se le contará.
15 Gotera continua en tiempo de lluvia, Y la mujer rencillosa, son semejantes:
16 El que pretende contenerla, arresta el viento: O el aceite en su mano derecha.
17 Hierro con hierro se aguza; Y el hombre aguza el rostro de su amigo.
18 El que guarda la higuera, comerá su fruto; Y el que guarda á su señor, será honrado.
The Reina-Valera Antigua (1602) is in the public domain.