Proverbs 17:14
12 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.
To start a quarrel is to release a flood; so abandon the dispute before it breaks out.
15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous— both are detestable to the LORD.
16 Why should the fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom?
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- To start a quarrel is to release a flood; so abandon the dispute before it breaks out.
- KJV
- The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
- WEB
- The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.
- ASV
- The beginning of strife is [as] when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.
- DARBY
- The beginning of contention is [as] when one letteth out water; therefore leave off strife before it become vehement.
- BLB
- The beginning of strife [is] a letting out of waters, and before it breaks out, abandon the dispute.
- ÅB
- begynne trette er som å åpne for vann; la da tretten fare, før den blir for voldsom!
- OTB
- Starten på en krangel er som å slippe ut vann; så forlat striden før den bryter ut.
- B1930
- Å begynne trette er som å åpne for vann; la da tretten fare, før den blir for voldsom!
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Proverbs 20:3
It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel.
Read in contextProverbs 25:8
do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame?
Read in context2 Timothy 2:23–24
But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.
Read in context1 Thessalonians 4:11
and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you.
Read in contextEcclesiastes 7:8–9
The end of a matter is better than the beginning, and a patient spirit is better than a proud one.
Read in contextProverbs 16:32
He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.
Read in contextProverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Read in contextProverbs 19:11
A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.
Read in context