Proverbs 17:9

If you want people to like/love you, forgive them for the wrong things that they do to you. If you continue to remind them about those wrong things, they will no longer be your friends.

Translation for Translators

In The King James Version

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

In Context

8People think that a bribe is like a magic stone to persuade someone to do what they want him to do; they think that because of the bribe, that person will do whatever they want him to do.

10Rebuking people who have good sense will accomplish more for them than hitting them 100 times with a stick.

Read all of Proverbs 17

Cross References

Psalms 32:1Those whom God has forgiven for rebelling against him, whose stains [MET] of sin have been wiped away, are truly blessed by God!

Proverbs 16:28Deceitful people cause strife/quarreling among other people; those who say false things about other people cause people who are friends to become enemies.

Matthew Henry on Proverbs 17:9

8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth. The design of this observation is to show, 1. That those who have money in their hand think they can do any thing with it. Rich men value a little money as if it were a precious stone, and value themselves on it as if it gave them not only ornament, but power, and every one were bound to be at their beck, even justice itself. Whithersoever they turn this sparkling diamond they expect it should dazzle the eyes… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Proverbs 17:9