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 honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; but every fool will be quarreling.
• Prov 25:8Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?
• 2 Tim 2:23–24But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife.
• 1 Th 4:11and that you make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, even as we instructed you;
• Eccl 7:8–9Better is the end of a thing than its beginning. The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
• Prov 16:32One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.
• Prov 15:1A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
• Prov 19:11The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an offense.
• 2 Sam 2:14–17Abner said to Joab, “Please let the young men arise and play before us!” Joab said, “Let them arise!”
• Gen 13:8–9Abram said to Lot, “Please, let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen; for we are relatives.
• 2 Chr 13:17Abijah and his people killed them with a great slaughter, so five hundred thousand chosen men of Israel fell down slain.
• Prov 29:22An angry man stirs up strife, and a wrathful man abounds in sin.
• 2 Chr 10:14–16and spoke to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to it. My father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.”
• Rom 12:18If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men.
• Prov 17:19He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.
• Judg 8:1–3The men of Ephraim said to him, “Why have you treated us this way, that you didn’t call us when you went to fight with Midian?” They rebuked him sharply.
• Prov 26:21As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.
• Matt 5:39–41But I tell you, don’t resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.
• Acts 15:2–21Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no small discord and discussion with them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas, and some others of them, to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.
• 2 Chr 25:17–24Then Amaziah king of Judah consulted his advisers, and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoahaz the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, “Come, let us look one another in the face.”
• Prov 14:29He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly.
• 2 Chr 28:6For Pekah the son of Remaliah killed in Judah one hundred twenty thousand in one day, all of them valiant men, because they had forsaken Yahweh, the God of their fathers.
• Judg 12:1–6The men of Ephraim were gathered together, and passed northward; and they said to Jephthah, “Why did you pass over to fight against the children of Ammon, and didn’t call us to go with you? We will burn your house around you with fire!”
• Acts 6:1–5Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service.
• Prov 13:10Pride only breeds quarrels, but with ones who take advice is wisdom.
• 2 Sam 19:41Behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said to the king, “Why have our brothers the men of Judah stolen you away, and brought the king, and his household, over the Jordan, and all David’s men with him?”
• Jas 3:14–18But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and don’t lie against 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.