Like one who grabs a dog by the ears is a passerby who meddles in a quarrel not his own.
Parallel translations
- WEB Like one who grabs a dog’s ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.
- KJV He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
- NKJV He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.
- NASB Like one who takes a dog by the ears, So is one who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him.
- NLT Interfering in someone else’s argument is as foolish as yanking a dog’s ears.
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
Meddling in someone else's quarrel is like grabbing a stray dog by the ears. Interfering in others' disputes invites needless harm.
Overview
To seize a passing dog's ears provokes a painful bite, picturing the trouble one brings on oneself by intruding into conflicts not one's own. The proverb commends minding one's proper business. It encourages peacemaking over rash interference that only multiplies strife.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- Prov 20:3It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel.
- 2 Tim 2:23–24But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.
- Prov 18:6A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
- Luke 12:14But Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed Me judge or executor between you?”
- Prov 17:11An evil man seeks only rebellion; a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
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 26:17 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
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