Proverbs 17:14
As one letteth loose [a stream] of water, so is the beginning of strife: therefore before it be enkindled, leave off the contest.
Leeser Tanakh
In The King James Version
In Context
13Whoso bestoweth evil in return for good—evil shall not depart from his house.
Cross References
Genesis 13:8And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we are near relatives.
Judges 12:1And the men of Ephraim were called together, and went northward, and said unto Yiphthach, Wherefore didst thou pass over to fight against the children of 'Ammon, and didst not call for us to go with thee? thy house will we burn over thee with fire.
2 Samuel 2:17And the battle was exceedingly fierce on that day; and Abner with the men of Israel was beaten, before the servants of David.
2 Chronicles 10:14And he spoke to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add thereto; my father chastised you with whips, but I will [do it] with scorpion-thorns.
2 Chronicles 25:17Then held Amazyahu the king of Judah a council, and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoachaz, the son of Jehu, the king of Israel, saying, Come, let us look one another in the face.
Proverbs 13:10Only through presumptuous conduct doth man produce contention; but with the well-advised is wisdom.
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 →