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 Living Translation (NLT)Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.

Context of Proverbs 16:32

30He winks his eye to devise perverse things; He purses his lips and brings about evil. 31The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness. He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. 33The lot is cast into the lap, But its 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 14:29He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly.
• Proverbs 15:18A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention.
• Proverbs 19:11The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression.
• Psalms 103:8The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
• Ephesians 5:1Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.
• James 1:19So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;
• Proverbs 16:19Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.
• Proverbs 25:28Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls.
• Romans 12:21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
• Revelation 3:21To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame 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