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Proverbs 12:16,23
A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudentman covereth shame…

Proverbs 14:33
Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: butthat which is in the midst of fools is made known.

Judges 16:17
That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a rasor upon mine head; for Ihave been a Nazarite unto God from my mother's womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like anyother man.

but a wise man holds it back
Wisdom in the Bible is often associated with the fear of the Lord and the application of knowledge in a way that honors God. A wise person exercises restraint and self-control, understanding the potential harm that unchecked anger can cause. This behavior reflects a deeper trust in God's justice and timing, as seen inProverbs 16:32, which states that one who is slow to anger is better than the mighty. The wise man's ability to hold back anger is a demonstration of strength and maturity, qualities that are exemplified in the life of Jesus Christ. Jesus, though He faced many provocations, often responded with patience and composure, embodying the wisdom and self-control that this proverb commends.

• Solomon paints the fool as someone who gives anger free rein—no filter, no restraint. “Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger settles in the lap of fools” (Ecclesiastes 7:9) echoes the same warning.

• Unchecked rage often looks like:

– Bursting out with harsh words (Proverbs 12:18)

– Flying off the handle in public (Proverbs 14:17)

– Nursing grudges that invite the devil’s foothold (Ephesians 4:26-27)

• The fool’s outbursts promise relief but bring fallout—broken relationships, damaged testimony, and more sin (Proverbs 29:22).

• Wisdom doesn’t deny anger; it governs it. “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty” (Proverbs 16:32).

• What restraint looks like:

– Quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger (James 1:19-20)

– Choosing gentle answers that turn away wrath (Proverbs 15:1)

– Letting the Spirit produce self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)

• Holding anger back isn’t weakness; it reflects confidence in God’s justice (Romans 12:19) and keeps consciences clear (1 Peter 3:16).

Proverbs 29:11 contrasts two life paths. The fool vents every surge of emotion and reaps turmoil. The wise man masters his temper by God’s strength, blessing both himself and those around him. Walking in wisdom means refusing to be ruled by anger and choosing Spirit-led restraint instead.

Πολλάκις ἀνθρώπων ὀργὴ νόον ἐξεκάλυψε
Κρυπτόμενον μανίας πουλὺ χερειότερον.

"Wrath often hath revealed man's hidden mind,
Than madness more pernicious." A wise man keepeth it in till afterwards. This clause is capable of more than one explanation. The Authorized Version says that the wise man restrains his own anger till he can give it proper vent. The termבְּאָחור occurs nowhere else, and is rendered "at last," "finally," and by Delitzsch, "within,"i.e. in his heart. The verb rendered "keepeth in" (shabach) is rather "to calm," "to hush," as inPsalm 65:7;Psalm 89:10, "Which stilleth the noise of the seas." So we have the meaning: The wise man calms the auger within him; according to the proverb,Irae dilatio,mentis pacatio. Or the anger calmed may be that of the fool: The wise man appeases it after it has been exhibited; he knows how to apply soothing remedies to the angry man, and in the end renders him calm and amenable to reason. This seems the most suitable explanation. Septuagint, "A wise man husbands it (ταμιεύεται) in part."

Parallel Commentaries ...