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 an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.
• Prov 25:8Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
• 2 Tim 2:23–24But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
• 1 Th 4:11And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
• Eccl 7:8–9Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
• Prov 16:32He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
• Prov 15:1A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
• Prov 19:11The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
• 2 Sam 2:14–17And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise.
• Gen 13:8–9And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.
• 2 Chr 13:17And Abijah and his people slew them with a great slaughter: so there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men.
• Prov 29:22An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
• 2 Chr 10:14–16And answered them after the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
• Rom 12:18If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
• Prov 17:19He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
• Judg 8:1–3And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply.
• Prov 26:21As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
• Matt 5:39–41But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
• Acts 15:2–21When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
• 2 Chr 25:17–24Then Amaziah king of Judah took advice, and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us see one another in the face.
• Prov 14:29He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
• 2 Chr 28:6For Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah an hundred and twenty thousand in one day, which were all valiant men; because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers.
• Judg 12:1–6And the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and went northward, and said unto Jephthah, Wherefore passedst thou over to fight against the children of Ammon, and didst not call us to go with thee? we will burn thine house upon thee with fire.
• Acts 6:1–5And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
• Prov 13:10Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
• 2 Sam 19:41And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto the king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have brought the king, and his household, and all David’s men with him, over Jordan?
• Jas 3:14–18But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

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