Proverbs 16:14

14 indignatio regis nuntii mortis et vir sapiens placabit eam

Proverbs 16:14 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 16:14

The wrath of a king [is as] messengers of death
Or, "angels of death", as the Targum. As the wrath of Ahasuerus was to Haman; when it is either discovered in the countenance of a king, or expressed by his words, or signified by a messenger; it sometimes has been immediate death to a person, and often as terrible as if a messenger brought the sentence of death; yea, it is as if one messenger after another was sent on such an errand, and therefore the word is in the plural number. How terrible is the wrath of the King of kings; and even to kings themselves, who are represented as flying to rocks and mountains to hide them from it! ( Revelation 6:15-17 ) ; but a wise man will pacify it;
by a proper acknowledgment of the offence committed; or by a prudent representation of his case, or the case of his friends; by soft answers and strong arguments, as Jonathan pacified the wrath of King Saul his father against David. He is a wise man that believes in Christ, and pleads his propitiatory sacrifice for the expiation of his sin, at the same time frankly acknowledging it.

Proverbs 16:14 In-Context

12 abominabiles regi qui agunt impie quoniam iustitia firmatur solium
13 voluntas regum labia iusta qui recta loquitur diligetur
14 indignatio regis nuntii mortis et vir sapiens placabit eam
15 in hilaritate vultus regis vita et clementia eius quasi imber serotinus
16 posside sapientiam quia auro melior est et adquire prudentiam quia pretiosior est argento
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.