Proverbs 14:29
New International Version
Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.

New Living Translation
People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.

English Standard Version
Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

Berean Standard Bible
A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.

King James Bible
He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

New King James Version
He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly.

New American Standard Bible
One who is slow to anger has great understanding; But one who is quick-tempered exalts foolishness.

NASB 1995
He who is slow to anger has great understanding, But he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.

NASB 1977
He who is slow to anger has great understanding, But he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.

Legacy Standard Bible
He who is slow to anger has great discernment, But he who is quick-tempered raises up folly.

Amplified Bible
He who is slow to anger has great understanding [and profits from his self-control], But he who is quick-tempered exposes and exalts his foolishness [for all to see].

Christian Standard Bible
A patient person shows great understanding, but a quick-tempered one promotes foolishness.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A patient person shows great understanding, but a quick-tempered one promotes foolishness.

American Standard Version
He that is slow to anger is of great understanding; But he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

Contemporary English Version
It's smart to be patient, but it's stupid to lose your temper.

English Revised Version
He that is slow to anger is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
A person of great understanding is patient, but a short temper is the height of stupidity.

Good News Translation
If you stay calm, you are wise, but if you have a hot temper, you only show how stupid you are.

International Standard Version
Being slow to get angry compares to great understanding as being quick-tempered compares to stupidity.

Majority Standard Bible
A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.

NET Bible
The one who is slow to anger has great understanding, but the one who has a quick temper exalts folly.

New Heart English Bible
He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly.

Webster's Bible Translation
He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

World English Bible
He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Whoever is slow to anger [is] of great understanding, "" And whoever is short in temper is exalting folly.

Young's Literal Translation
Whoso is slow to anger is of great understanding, And whoso is short in temper is exalting folly.

Smith's Literal Translation
The slow to anger of much understanding: and the short of spirit exalts folly.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He that is patient, is governed with much wisdom: but he that is impatient, exalteth his folly.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Whoever is patient is governed by much prudence. But whoever is impatient exalts his foolishness.

New American Bible
Long-suffering results in great wisdom; a short temper raises folly high.

New Revised Standard Version
Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but one who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He who is slow to anger is of great understanding; but he who is hasty of temper is exceedingly foolish.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
He that is patient is very wise and he that is impatient, very foolish.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
He that is slow to anger is of great understanding; But he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
A man slow to wrath abounds in wisdom: but a man of impatient spirit is very foolish.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Wise Woman
28A large population is a king’s splendor, but a lack of subjects is a prince’s ruin. 29A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly. 30A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy rots the bones.…

Cross References
James 1:19-20
My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, / for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires.

Ecclesiastes 7:9
Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger settles in the lap of a fool.

Proverbs 16:32
He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.

Proverbs 19:11
A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.

Ephesians 4:26-27
“Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set upon your anger, / and do not give the devil a foothold.

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, / gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Colossians 3:12-13
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. / Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Matthew 5:22
But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.

Romans 12:19
Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-5
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. / It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs.

2 Timothy 2:24
And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing.

Proverbs 15:18
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.

Proverbs 25:28
Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper.

Proverbs 29:11
A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back.

Proverbs 22:24-25
Do not make friends with an angry man, and do not associate with a hot-tempered man, / or you may learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.


Treasury of Scripture

He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalts folly.

slow

Proverbs 14:17
He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.

Proverbs 15:18
A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

Proverbs 16:32
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

but

Proverbs 22:24,25
Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: …

Proverbs 25:8,28
Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame…

Ecclesiastes 7:9
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

hasty

Proverbs 4:8
Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.

Ecclesiastes 10:6
Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.

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Anger Angry Displays Exalteth Exalting Exalts Folly Foolish Gives Good Great Hasty Over-Quick Patient Quick Quick-Tempered Sense Short Slow Spirit Support Temper Understanding Wrath
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Anger Angry Displays Exalteth Exalting Exalts Folly Foolish Gives Good Great Hasty Over-Quick Patient Quick Quick-Tempered Sense Short Slow Spirit Support Temper Understanding Wrath
Proverbs 14
1. A wise woman builds her house














A patient man
The Hebrew word for "patient" is "אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם" (erek appayim), which literally means "long of nostrils," a metaphor for being slow to anger. In ancient Hebrew culture, patience was highly valued as a virtue that reflected wisdom and self-control. The imagery of "long nostrils" suggests a deep breath, a pause before reacting, which is essential for maintaining peace and understanding. Patience is seen as a strength, a deliberate choice to respond with grace rather than impulsivity.

has great understanding
The term "understanding" comes from the Hebrew word "תְּבוּנָה" (tebunah), which implies insight, discernment, and the ability to see beyond the surface. In the biblical context, understanding is not merely intellectual but is deeply connected to moral and spiritual insight. A patient person, through their restraint, gains a deeper comprehension of situations and people, allowing them to act wisely and justly. This understanding is a reflection of God's wisdom, which is available to those who seek it earnestly.

but a quick-tempered man
The phrase "quick-tempered" is translated from the Hebrew "קְצַר רוּחַ" (qetsar ruach), meaning "short of spirit" or "short of breath." This contrasts sharply with the patient man, as it describes someone who is easily provoked and lacks self-control. In the historical context of the Bible, being quick-tempered was often associated with foolishness and a lack of wisdom. Such a person is driven by immediate emotions rather than thoughtful reflection, leading to rash decisions and conflict.

promotes folly
"Folly" is derived from the Hebrew word "אִוֶּלֶת" (ivvelet), which signifies foolishness, lack of sense, or moral deficiency. In the scriptural context, folly is not just a lack of intelligence but a failure to live according to God's righteous standards. A quick-tempered person, by acting impulsively, spreads foolishness and chaos, undermining relationships and community harmony. This stands in stark contrast to the wise, who build up and edify through patience and understanding.

(29) He that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly--i.e., brings it into view, or shows himself highly foolish. Or it may signify, "he takes up and carries away folly as his portion," as Proverbs 3:35 may be translated, "fools receive shame for their portion."

Verse 29. - He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding. The Hebrew expression for what the Septuagint calls μακροθυμος, "long suffering," and the Vulgate, patiens, is "long in nostrils" (Proverbs 15:18), as the contrary temper, which we had in ver. 17, is "short in nostrils." That organ, into which was breathed the breath of life (Genesis 2:7), is taken as the seat of the inward spirit, and as showing by exterior signs the dominant feeling. The original is very terse, "long in nostrils, great in understanding." A man's prudence and wisdom are displayed by his being slow to take offence and being patient under injury. He that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly; i.e. flaunts it in the eyes of all men, makes plain exposure of it. Septuagint, "He who is short in temper is a mighty fool." "Passion," says an old saw, "makes fools of the wise. and shows the folly of the foolish" (comp. Proverbs 12:23; Proverbs 13:16). The word rendered "exalteth," צּצּצּ (marim), occurs in Proverbs 3:35, and is taken by Delitzsch and Nowack in the sense of "carries away" as the assured result. "By anger," says St. Gregory ('Moral.,' 5:78), "wisdom is parted with, so that we are left wholly in ignorance what to do, and in what order to do it.... Anger withdraws the light of understanding, while by agitating it troubles the mind."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
A patient [man]
אֶ֣רֶךְ (’e·reḵ)
Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 750: Long

has great
רַב־ (raḇ-)
Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

understanding,
תְּבוּנָ֑ה (tə·ḇū·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8394: Intelligence, an argument, caprice

but a quick-tempered [man]
וּקְצַר־ (ū·qə·ṣar-)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7116: Short

promotes
מֵרִ֥ים (mê·rîm)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7311: To be high actively, to rise, raise

folly.
אִוֶּֽלֶת׃ (’iw·we·leṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 200: Silliness


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 14:29 He who is slow to anger has (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 14:28
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