Proverbs 26:17

He who gets mixed up in a fight which is not his business, is like one who takes a dog by the ears while it is going by.

Bible in Basic English

In The King James Version

He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

In Context

16The hater of work seems to himself wiser than seven men who are able to give an answer with good sense.

18As one who is off his head sends about flaming sticks and arrows of death,

Read all of Proverbs 26

Cross References

Proverbs 17:11An uncontrolled man is only looking for trouble, so a cruel servant will be sent against him.

Proverbs 20:3It is an honour for a man to keep from fighting, but the foolish are ever at war.

2 Timothy 2:23And put away foolish and uncontrolled questionings, seeing that they are a cause of trouble.

Matthew Henry on Proverbs 26:17

16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason. Observe, 1. The high opinion which the sluggard has of himself, notwithstanding the gross absurdity and folly of his slothfulness: He thinks himself wiser than seven men, than seven wise men, for they are such as can render a reason. It is the wisdom of a man to be able to render a reason, of a good man to be able to give a reason of the hope that is in him, 1 Pet. iii. 15 . What we do we should be able to render a reason for,… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Proverbs 26:17