Proverbs 25:28 kjv

He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

Proverbs 25:28 nkjv

Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls.

Proverbs 25:28 niv

Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.

Proverbs 25:28 esv

A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.

Proverbs 25:28 nlt

A person without self-control
is like a city with broken-down walls.

Proverbs 25 verses

Proverbs 25 28 Meaning

Proverbs 25:28 conveys that a person who lacks self-control or discipline over their inner disposition—their thoughts, emotions, and passions—is as vulnerable and undefended as a city with breached walls or no walls at all. Just as such a city is open to any attack, plunder, and ruin from external enemies, a person without mastery over their spirit is easily overcome by temptations, sin, inner chaos, and external pressures, leading to personal destruction and spiritual vulnerability.

Proverbs 25 28 Context

Proverbs chapter 25 is part of a collection of "Proverbs of Solomon copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah." This indicates they are ancient wisdom preserved and compiled centuries after Solomon. The chapter primarily offers a variety of disconnected maxims, many pertaining to royal courts, the wise use of speech, prudence, humility, and interaction with neighbors. It advises on proper conduct, often using vivid imagery from daily life. Within this broader context of practical wisdom for living rightly, Proverbs 25:28 stands out as a powerful warning about internal discipline as the foundation for external integrity and safety. The historical and cultural context for the original audience revolved around walled cities being the primary means of protection from enemies. A city "broken down" or "without walls" (often through siege, conquest, or neglect) meant complete vulnerability to invasion, pillage, rape, and destruction, signifying absolute ruin and a loss of identity and safety for its inhabitants.

Proverbs 25 28 Word analysis

• He that hath no rule: This phrase refers to the person who exercises no ma'tzer (מַעְצָר) – no restraint, control, or inhibition. It points to a lack of disciplined management of one's inner being. It's an absence of authority or governance over oneself, indicating passivity in the face of inner urges.
• over his own spirit: The Hebrew word is rucho (רוּחוֹ), derived from ruach (רוּחַ), which can mean breath, wind, spirit, mind, or inner disposition. In this context, ruach signifies one's inner person—their temper, emotions, desires, impulses, passions, and reactions. It's about mastering one's emotional and volitional life, not just actions.
• is like a city: The image of a city (ir עִיר) would have immediately evoked ideas of structure, community, security, and identity to the ancient hearer. Its well-being was tied to its defenses.
• that is broken down: The Hebrew perutzah (פְּרוּצָה) means "breached," "broken open," or "torn down." This describes a city whose defensive integrity has been shattered, usually by attack, making it utterly vulnerable. It implies internal disorder and destruction.
• and without walls: The Hebrew ein chomah (אֵין חוֹמָה) directly states the absence of a wall (chomah). Walls were crucial for protection, signifying security, strength, and defined boundaries. Without them, the city is utterly exposed, unable to defend against any assault, external or internal. This implies an irreversible state of vulnerability and inevitable devastation.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• He that hath no rule over his own spirit: This emphasizes internal self-governance. It highlights the primary responsibility of an individual to control their own passions and thoughts, rather than being controlled by them. A lack of self-restraint results in an inability to manage one's emotions (like anger or lust), reactions, and desires, leaving the individual at the mercy of internal whims and external temptations. This self-mastery is essential for spiritual, mental, and relational well-being.
• is like a city that is broken down, and without walls: This powerful double metaphor illustrates absolute vulnerability. A city "broken down" implies it has been conquered and its defenses dismantled; "without walls" means it has no inherent protection left. Applied to a person, it means that an uncontrolled spirit creates inner chaos and offers no defense against temptations, sinful impulses, or attacks from the world, the flesh, or the devil. Just as a physical city falls prey to invaders without walls, so too does a person without inner discipline fall prey to moral, spiritual, and emotional ruin, losing internal peace, order, and righteousness. This contrasts sharply with the wisdom tradition that advocates building inner defenses through prudence, righteousness, and obedience to God.

Proverbs 25 28 Bonus section

The wisdom of this proverb resonates deeply with New Testament teachings on spiritual disciplines and the fruit of the Spirit. "Temperance" or "self-control" (enkrateia in Greek) is listed as a vital aspect of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:23). This highlights that while self-rule is an individual responsibility, true and lasting self-control for the believer is ultimately empowered by the Holy Spirit. Without the work of the Holy Spirit, the flesh remains weak, and inner desires often overpower intentions. Therefore, the Christian understands the need not just for self-effort, but for dependence on God's grace to build up the inner walls of their spirit against the relentless siege of sin and the world. This proverb serves as a call to cultivate internal vigilance and spiritual discipline, seeing them as essential bulwarks against moral and spiritual devastation.

Proverbs 25 28 Commentary

Proverbs 25:28 provides a stark visual metaphor for the peril of lacking self-control. The "spirit" here encompasses the entire inner life—thoughts, feelings, desires, and temperament. To have "no rule over" this inner realm means that one's passions and impulses are unchecked, leading to a state of internal anarchy. This internal disorder renders a person as defenseless as a "city that is broken down, and without walls." In the ancient world, a walled city was the epitome of security; its absence meant complete exposure to every form of danger, from bandits to armies. Such a city was vulnerable to pillage, destruction, and moral decay, losing its integrity and very identity.

Similarly, an individual without self-mastery is defenseless. They are easily swayed by sinful temptations (lust, gluttony), overcome by destructive emotions (anger, fear, envy), and incapable of standing firm against external pressures or the deceptions of the adversary. Their lack of discipline leads to erratic behavior, damaged relationships, unwise decisions, and spiritual barrenness. True strength, the Proverb implies, is not found in physical prowess or external conquests, but in the internal battle won through diligent cultivation of discipline and reliance on divine wisdom to manage one's own heart.

• Example: An unchecked temper can ruin relationships and professional standing (like a city easily breached by conflict).
• Example: Lack of discipline over desires (e.g., gluttony, materialism) can lead to health problems or debt, leaving one vulnerable to despair (a ruined city lacking resources).
• Example: One who allows bitterness or unforgiveness to fester makes their spirit vulnerable to perpetual turmoil, losing inner peace.