Strife floods in swiftly, but grace and humility dam its flow.
Solomon illustrates the destructive force of conflict when he writes, “The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so abandon the quarrel before it breaks out” (Proverbs 17:14). In the same way water gushes uncontrolled from a breached dam, strife can quickly flood relationships if arguments are left unchecked. By comparing the start of contention to a growing torrent, Solomon warns us that the wise choice is to stop a dispute at its inception rather than allow it to swell into bitterness or division.
This principle aligns with the overall message of Proverbs, where living according to God’s wisdom brings harmony, while lingering in foolishness leads to destructive outcomes. Scripture often contrasts the path of peace with the path of folly, revealing that willingly nurturing strife prevents us from experiencing the fullness of God’s design for our relationships and communities. In the rest of Proverbs, we see repeated calls to “forsake your folly and live,” affirming that when we embrace wise living, we step away from quarrels that would otherwise spread rapidly and harm everyone involved.In the New Testament, Jesus underscores the value of reconciliation, teaching believers to prioritize peace and quickly settle differences with others (Matthew 5:23-25). Such teaching resonates with Solomon’s advice here: instead of pressing a fight or standing upon pride, we act in faith by humbly seeking resolution, so the waters of animosity never truly break loose upon us and those around us.
Set to dark mode
Proverbs 17:14 meaning
Solomon illustrates the destructive force of conflict when he writes, “The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so abandon the quarrel before it breaks out” (Proverbs 17:14). In the same way water gushes uncontrolled from a breached dam, strife can quickly flood relationships if arguments are left unchecked. By comparing the start of contention to a growing torrent, Solomon warns us that the wise choice is to stop a dispute at its inception rather than allow it to swell into bitterness or division.
This principle aligns with the overall message of Proverbs, where living according to God’s wisdom brings harmony, while lingering in foolishness leads to destructive outcomes. Scripture often contrasts the path of peace with the path of folly, revealing that willingly nurturing strife prevents us from experiencing the fullness of God’s design for our relationships and communities. In the rest of Proverbs, we see repeated calls to “forsake your folly and live,” affirming that when we embrace wise living, we step away from quarrels that would otherwise spread rapidly and harm everyone involved.In the New Testament, Jesus underscores the value of reconciliation, teaching believers to prioritize peace and quickly settle differences with others (Matthew 5:23-25). Such teaching resonates with Solomon’s advice here: instead of pressing a fight or standing upon pride, we act in faith by humbly seeking resolution, so the waters of animosity never truly break loose upon us and those around us.