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

30With narrowed eyes, people plot evil; with a smirk, they plan their mischief. 31Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life. Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. 33We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall.

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 14:29People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.
• Proverbs 15:18A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them.
• Proverbs 19:11Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.
• Psalms 103:8The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
• Ephesians 5:1Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.
• James 1:19Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
• Proverbs 16:19Better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.
• Proverbs 25:28A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.
• Romans 12:21Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
• Revelation 3:21Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat 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