Proverbs 17:14

Starting a quarrel is like opening a dam, so stop conflict before it bursts out. It matters because contention, once unleashed, is hard to control, making early restraint wise.

Cross-references · 27

• Prov 20:3It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel.
• Prov 25:8do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame?
• 2 Tim 2:23–24But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.
• 1 Th 4:11and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you.
• Eccl 7:8–9The end of a matter is better than the beginning, and a patient spirit is better than a proud one.
• Prov 16:32He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.
• Prov 15:1A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
• Prov 19:11A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.
• 2 Sam 2:14–17Then Abner said to Joab, “Let us have the young men get up and compete before us.” “Let them get up,” Joab replied.
• Gen 13:8–9So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no contention between you and me, or between your herdsmen and my herdsmen. After all, we are brothers.
• 2 Chr 13:17Then Abijah and his people struck them with a mighty blow, and 500,000 chosen men of Israel fell slain.
• Prov 29:22An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.
• 2 Chr 10:14–16and spoke to them as the young men had advised, saying, “Whereas my father made your yoke heavy, I will add to your yoke. Whereas my father scourged you with whips, I will scourge you with scorpions.”
• Rom 12:18If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.
• Prov 17:19He who loves transgression loves strife; he who builds his gate high invites destruction.
• Judg 8:1–3Then the men of Ephraim said to Gideon, “Why have you done this to us? Why did you fail to call us when you went to fight against Midian?” And they contended with him violently.
• Prov 26:21Like charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
• Matt 5:39–41But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also;
• Acts 15:2–21And after engaging these men in sharp debate, Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.
• 2 Chr 25:17–24Then Amaziah king of Judah took counsel and sent word to the king of Israel Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu. “Come, let us meet face to face,” he said.
• Prov 14:29A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.
• 2 Chr 28:6For in one day Pekah son of Remaliah killed 120,000 valiant men in Judah. This happened because they had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers.
• Judg 12:1–6Then the men of Ephraim assembled and crossed the Jordan to Zaphon. They said to Jephthah, “Why have you crossed over to fight the Ammonites without calling us to go with you? We will burn your house down with you inside!”
• Acts 6:1–5In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
• Prov 13:10Arrogance leads only to strife, but wisdom is with the well-advised.
• 2 Sam 19:41Soon all the men of Israel came to the king and asked, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, take you away secretly and bring the king and his household across the Jordan, together with all of David’s men?”
• Jas 3:14–18But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth.

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.