Proverbs 29:8–11

PROVERBS CHAPTER 29.

Warning against Stubbornness and Rebellion.

DESCRIPTION OF STUBBORNNESS AND DISOBEDIENCE. — V. 8. Scornful men bring a city into a snare, literally, “Men of mockery set on fire a city,” namely, by exciting the passions and the party spirit of the people upon every occasion; but wise men turn away wrath, they work to subdue passions and to prove themselves peacemakers always.

V. 9. If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, trying to gain a point for his own cause, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest, that is, the fool will either fly into a rage or pretend to find the matter extremely funny, so that it is impossible to argue with him in a sane manner.

V. 10. The bloodthirsty hate the upright, since the conduct of the righteous is a constant reproof to them; but the just seek his soul, their aim being to uphold and preserve the upright.

V. 11. A fool uttereth all his mind, he is ready, upon the slightest occasion, to give vent to angry spite; but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards, he does not permit his angry feeling to get the better of him, but controls himself always.