Proverbs 17:12

10 A rebuke cuts into a man of discernment deeper than a hundred lashes cut into a fool.

11 An evil man seeks only rebellion; a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly.

13 If anyone returns evil for good, evil will never leave his house.

14 To start a quarrel is to release a flood; so abandon the dispute before it breaks out.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly.
KJV
Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
WEB
Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
ASV
Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, Rather than a fool in his folly.
DARBY
Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man rather than a fool in his folly.
BLB
Let meet a bear robbed of her cubs with a man, and not a fool in his folly.
ÅB
Bedre for en mann å møte en bjørn som ungene er tatt fra, enn en dåre i hans dårskap.
OTB
Bedre å møte en bjørn som er frarøvet sine unger enn en dåre i hans dårskap.
B1930
Bedre for en mann å møte en bjørn som ungene er tatt fra, enn en dåre i hans dårskap.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 2 Samuel 17:8

    He continued, “You know your father and his men. They are mighty men, and as fierce as a wild bear robbed of her cubs. Moreover, your father is a man of war who will not spend the night with the troops.

    Read in context
  • Hosea 13:8

    Like a bear robbed of her cubs I will attack them, and I will tear open their chests. There I will devour them like a lion, like a wild beast would tear them apart.

    Read in context
  • Proverbs 27:3

    A stone is heavy and sand is a burden, but aggravation from a fool outweighs them both.

    Read in context
  • Proverbs 28:15

    Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.

    Read in context
  • 2 Kings 2:24

    Then he turned around, looked at them, and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Suddenly two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 2:16

    When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi.

    Read in context