He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
Parallel translations
- WEB One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.
- BSB 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.
- NKJV He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
- NASB One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And one who rules his spirit, than one who captures a city.
- NLT Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Patience and self-control are greater strengths than military might. It matters because mastering one's own spirit is a more impressive victory than conquering cities.
Overview
This proverb exalts the slow-to-anger person and the one who rules his own spirit above the mighty warrior who takes a city. True strength is inward, found in self-mastery under God. It reflects the fruit of the Spirit in self-control and patience (Galatians 5:22-23).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Jas 1:19Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
- Prov 25:28He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
- Prov 15:18A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
- Prov 14:29He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
- Prov 19:11The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
- Rom 12:21Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
- Ps 103:8The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
- Eph 5:1Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
- Rev 3:21To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
- Prov 16:19Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 16:32 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.