Proverbs 17:14
The beginning of strife is [like] letting out water. Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.
A Conservative Version
In The King James Version
In Context
13He who rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
Cross References
Genesis 13:8And Abram said to Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdsmen and thy herdsmen, for we are brothers.
Judges 12:1And the men of Ephraim were gathered together, and passed northward. And they said to Jephthah, Why did thou pass over to fight against the sons of Ammon, and did not call us to go with thee? We will burn thy house upon thee with f
2 Samuel 2:17And the battle was very severe that day. And Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.
2 Chronicles 10:14and spoke to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto. My father chastised you with whips, but I with scorpions.
2 Chronicles 25:17Then Amaziah king of Judah took advice, and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoahaz the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us look each other in the face.
Proverbs 13:10Through pride a vain man causes contention, but wisdom is with the well-advised.
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 17:14
13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house. A malicious mischievous man is here represented, 1. As ungrateful to his friends. He oftentimes is so absurd and insensible of kindnesses done him that he renders evil for good. David met with those that were his adversaries for his love, Ps. cix. 4 . To render evil for evil is brutish, but to render evil for good is devilish. He is an ill-natured man who, because he is resolved not to return a kindness, will revenge it. 2. As therein unkind… Read the whole commentary →