Proverbs 20:3 kjv

It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

Proverbs 20:3 nkjv

It is honorable for a man to stop striving, Since any fool can start a quarrel.

Proverbs 20:3 niv

It is to one's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.

Proverbs 20:3 esv

It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.

Proverbs 20:3 nlt

Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor;
only fools insist on quarreling.

Proverbs 20 verses

Proverbs 20 3 Meaning

It is a sign of true honor and wisdom for a person to step away from and avoid contention or strife. Conversely, any person who is foolish will persistently engage in or seek quarrels, revealing their lack of understanding and self-control. True dignity comes from the calm resolve to keep the peace rather than from triumphing in conflict.

Proverbs 20 3 Context

Proverbs 20 fits into the broader section of King Solomon's collected wise sayings, offering practical wisdom for daily life and moral instruction. The chapter contrasts wise behavior with foolishness, often focusing on social interactions and personal conduct. It touches on themes such as justice, work ethic, self-control, and the character of God. Verse 3 specifically addresses the wise handling of conflict, setting the serene dignity of the peacemaker against the incessant turmoil of the foolish. This principle aligns with the overall emphasis in Proverbs on seeking peace, maintaining relationships, and understanding the destructive nature of foolish choices. Historically and culturally, a man's honor was highly valued in ancient Near Eastern societies, and this proverb refines the understanding of what truly constitutes honor, contrasting external display with internal character. It subtly critiques the cultural propensity to view retaliation or assertive confrontation as markers of honor, instead presenting quiet restraint as the higher virtue.

Proverbs 20 3 Word analysis

• It is an honor (כָּבוֹד, kavod):

  • Meaning: glory, dignity, reputation, weight.
  • Significance: It's not just about public esteem, but also internal self-respect and worth, reflecting a good name before God and humanity. True honor is shown in a person's character, not merely their outward accomplishments or possessions.
  • Nuance: The "weight" implies substance and value, a solidity of character.

• for a man (לְאִישׁ, l'ish):

  • Meaning: for a person, for a man.
  • Significance: Applies universally to anyone, male or female, seeking wisdom.
  • Grammar: "Man" here broadly refers to a human being.

• to keep aloof from (שֶׁבֶת מֵרִיב, shevet meriyb):

  • Shevet (שֶׁבֶת): To sit, dwell, remain; cease from, keep still. Here it means "to desist" or "to keep quiet from," indicating a deliberate choice to withdraw or not engage.
  • Meriyb (מֵרִיב): Strife, contention, quarrel, dispute.
  • Significance: This phrase indicates a conscious and active avoidance or withdrawal from contentious situations. It is not merely a passive absence of conflict, but a choice to prioritize peace and unity.

• but every fool (וְכָל־אֱוִיל, v'chol-evl):

  • ’Evl (אֱוִיל): The "obstinate fool." This type of fool is morally perverse, actively rejects wisdom, and often knows better but chooses not to act accordingly. They are unteachable and morally insensible, unlike kesil (the simpleton).
  • Chol (כָל): Every, all. Emphasizes the universal characteristic of this type of fool.
  • Significance: The contrast is stark between the wise, honorable person and this particular kind of fool who insists on conflict.

• will be quarreling (יִתְגַּלָּע, yitgalla‘):

  • Meaning: will break out, will contend, will expose himself. From gala‘ (גָּלַע): to be stripped, laid bare, or break out (like a sore).
  • Significance: This verb suggests an inherent, almost involuntary, propensity for contention to erupt from the fool. It implies their quarrels are a manifestation of their inner character, breaking out like an affliction or an uncontrollable urge. It highlights the compulsive and self-destructive nature of the fool's engagement in strife.

Word-group analysis

• "It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife":

  • This phrase emphasizes a counter-cultural notion of honor. True honor (קָבוֹד, kavod) is not found in winning every argument or asserting dominance, but in the restraint and wisdom of avoiding conflict. This reflects a divine principle that peace is preferable to chaos. It promotes internal character over external victory.

• "but every fool will be quarreling":

  • This phrase provides a vivid contrast. The foolishness described here (אֱוִיל, ’evl) is not merely ignorance, but an active, obstinate refusal of wisdom that expresses itself in constant quarrels. The choice to engage in continuous strife (יִתְגַּלָּע, yitgalla‘) reveals a disordered and undisciplined inner life, characteristic of one who rejects wise counsel. It depicts contention as an inherent symptom of their foolishness.

Proverbs 20 3 Bonus section

• The proverb illustrates the stark difference between wisdom, which seeks to build and maintain peace, and foolishness, which constantly sows discord and destruction.
• This principle of avoiding strife is a form of practical righteousness, reflecting the character of God who is a God of peace and order, not confusion.
• It's not about being a doormat or avoiding necessary discussions for justice, but about discerning when a conflict is rooted in foolishness or a desire for contention, and then wisely choosing disengagement for peace and honor.
• The spiritual discipline implied is self-control and humility, essential virtues that allow one to resist the natural human inclination towards defensive or combative responses.

Proverbs 20 3 Commentary

Proverbs 20:3 presents a profound insight into the nature of true honor and wisdom versus pervasive foolishness. The verse posits that dignity is intrinsically linked to one's ability to resist entanglement in disputes. This "honor" (כָּבוֹד, kavod) is not just about a reputation for peace but a substantive, inner worth that chooses composure over confrontation. A wise individual understands the futility and destructive nature of endless quarreling and makes a deliberate choice to withdraw from such engagements, prioritizing peace and personal integrity. This restraint reflects maturity and spiritual discernment, aligning with God's character as a God of peace.

In sharp contrast, the "fool" (אֱוִיל, ’evl), specifically one who is obstinate and morally insensible, is characterized by an uncontrollable urge to quarrel (יִתְגַּלָּע, yitgalla‘). This tendency to quarrel breaks out compulsively, akin to a rash, exposing the disordered and contentious state of their heart. Such behavior is not only self-destructive but also harmful to relationships and the community. The fool’s insistence on conflict stems from a deeper spiritual and moral blindness, a refusal to embrace wisdom, and often a need for self-vindication or control. True honor is therefore shown in self-control and the pursuit of tranquility, rather than in the tumultuous assertion of one's own will or perceived rights in every situation. This wisdom teaches discernment in choosing battles and knowing when the most honorable action is to simply walk away.