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Proverbs 17:27 World English Bible (WEB)

27 He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.

Cross Reference

James 1:19 WEB

So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger;

Proverbs 10:19 WEB

In the multitude of words there is no lack of disobedience, But he who restrains his lips does wisely.

Proverbs 14:29 WEB

He who is slow to anger has great understanding, But he who has a quick temper displays folly.

Proverbs 16:32 WEB

One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; One who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.

James 3:2 WEB

For in many things we all stumble. If anyone doesn't stumble in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.

Proverbs 15:28 WEB

The heart of the righteous weighs answers, But the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.

Ecclesiastes 9:17 WEB

The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the cry of him who rules among fools.

James 3:18 WEB

Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Commentary on Proverbs 17 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


CHAPTER 17

Pr 17:1-28.

1. sacrifices—or, "feasts" made with part of them (compare Pr 7:14; Le 2:3; 7:31).

with—literally, "of."

strife—its product, or attendant.

2. (Compare Pr 14:35).

causeth shame—(Pr 10:5).

shall … inheritance—that is, share a brother's part (compare Nu 27:4, 7).

3. God only knows, as He tries (Ps 12:6; 66:10) the heart.

4. Wicked doers and speakers alike delight in calumny.

5. (Compare Pr 14:31).

glad at calamities—rejoicing in others' evil. Such are rightly punished by God, who knows their hearts.

6. Prolonged posterity is a blessing, its cutting off a curse (Pr 13:22; Ps 109:13-15), hence children may glory in virtuous ancestry.

7. Excellent speech—(Compare Margin). Such language as ill suits a fool, as lying (ought to suit) a prince (Pr 16:12, 13).

8. One so corrupt as to take a bribe evinces his high estimate of it by subjection to its influence (Pr 18:16; 19:6).

9. seeketh love—(Compare Margin). The contrast is between the peace-maker and tale-bearer.

10. Reproof more affects the wise than severe scourging, fools.

11. Such meet just retribution (1Ki 2:25).

a cruel messenger—one to inflict it.

12. They are less rational in anger than wild beasts.

13. (Compare Ps 7:4; 35:12).

evil—injury to another (Pr 13:21).

14. letteth … water—as a breach in a dam.

before … meddled with—before strife has become sharp, or, by an explanation better suiting the figure, before it rolls on, or increases.

15. abomination … Lord—as reversing His method of acting (Pr 3:32; 12:2).

16. Though wealth cannot buy wisdom for those who do not love it, yet wisdom procures wealth (Pr 3:16; 14:24).

17. To the second of these parallel clauses, there is an accession of meaning, that is, that a brother's love is specially seen in adversity.

18. (Compare Pr 6:1-5; 11:15).

in the presence, &c.—that is, he either fails to consult his friend, or to follow his advice.

19. strife—contention is, and leads to, sin.

he that exalteth his gate—gratifies a vain love of costly building.

seeketh—or, "findeth," as if he sought (compare "loveth death," Pr 8:36).

20. The second clause advances on the first. The ill-natured fail of good, and the cavilling and fault-finding incur evil.

21. (Compare Pr 23:24). Different words are rendered by "fool," both denoting stupidity and impiety.

22. (Compare Pr 14:30; 15:13). The effect of the mind on the body is well known.

medicine—or, "body," which better corresponds with "bone."

drieth—as if the marrow were exhausted.

23. a gift … bosom—Money and other valuables were borne in a fold of the garment, called the bosom.

to pervert—that is, by bribery.

24. Wisdom … him—ever an object of regard, while a fool's affections are unsettled.

25. a grief—or cross, vexation (compare Pr 17:21; 10:1).

26. Also—that is, Equally to be avoided are other sins: punishing good subjects, or resisting good rulers.

27, 28. Prudence of speech is commended as is an excellent or calm spirit, not excited to vain conversation.