Proverbs 16:32

Proverbs 16:32 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
• New International Version (NIV)Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
• New King James Version (NKJV)He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

Context of Proverbs 16:32

30The one who winks his eyes devises perverse things, and one who compresses his lips brings about evil. 31Gray hair is like a crown of glory; it is attained in the path of righteousness. Better to be slow to anger than to be a mighty warrior, and one who controls his temper is better than one who captures a city. 33The dice are thrown into the lap, but their every decision is from the Lord.

Proverbs 16:32 word by word

ט֤וֹב אֶ֣רֶךְ אַ֭פַּיִם מִגִּבּ֑וֹר וּמֹשֵׁ֥ל בְּ֝רוּח֗וֹ מִלֹּכֵ֥ד עִֽיר׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• slowאָרֵךְ'ârêk · slowH750
• to angerאַף'aph · face: angerH639
• betterטוֹבţôb · pleasantH2896
• than the mightyגִּבּוֹרgibbôr gibbôr · mighty manH1368
• and he that rulethמָשַׁלmâshal · to ruleH4910
• his spiritרוּחַrûach · spiritH7307
• than he that takethלָכַדlâkad · to captureH3920
• a cityעִיר‛îyr ‛âr ‛âyar · cityH5892

Cross-references for Proverbs 16:32

• Proverbs 14:29The one who is slow to anger has great understanding, but the one who has a quick temper exalts folly.
• Proverbs 15:18A quick-tempered person stirs up dissension, but one who is slow to anger calms a quarrel.
• Proverbs 19:11A person’s wisdom makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
• Psalms 103:8The Lord is compassionate and merciful; he is patient and demonstrates great loyal love.
• Ephesians 5:1Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children
• James 1:19Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters! Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.
• Proverbs 16:19It is better to be lowly in spirit with the afflicted than to share the spoils with the proud.
• Proverbs 25:28Like a city that is broken down and without a wall, so is a person who cannot control his temper.
• Romans 12:21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
• Revelation 3:21I will grant the one who conquers permission to sit with me on my throne, just as I too conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.

Commentaries on Proverbs 16:32

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 32He that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city - It is much easier to subdue an enemy without than one within. There have been many kings who had conquered nations, and yet were slaves to their own passions. Alexander, who conquered the world, was a slave to intemperate anger, and in a fit of it slew Clytus, the best and most intimate of all his friends, and one whom he loved beyond all others. The spirit of this maxim is so self-evident, that most…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 32Verse 32 To overcome our own passions, requires more steady management, than obtaining victory over an enemy.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 32Patience and self-control are more valuable than using force.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3232. (Compare Pr 14:29). taketh a city--that is, by fighting.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 16:32

• Anger
• Meekness
• Self-Denial

In the dictionaries

• Chief
• Divine
• Haughty
• Lot
• Pride
• Whisperer
• Anger
• Longsuffering
• Proverb
• Proverbs, the Book of

Commentaries on Proverbs 16

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings