Proverbs 16 · Verse 32

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.

Proverbs 16:32, King James Version

Proverbs 16:32 in other translations

BSB	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.
WEB	One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.
ASV	He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; And he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city.
YLT	Better is the slow to anger than the mighty, And the ruler over his spirit than he who is taking a city.
DARBY	He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
BBE	He who is slow to be angry is better than a man of war, and he who has control over his spirit than he who takes a town.
Webster	He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city.

What does Proverbs 16:32 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

32. (Compare Pr 14:29). taketh a city--that is, by fighting.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 32 He 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 nations have formed similar proverbs. The classical reader will remember the following in Hor., Odar. lib. ii., Od. 2: - Latius regnes, avidum domando Spiritum, quam si Libyam remotis Gadibus jungas, et uterque Poenus Serviat uni. "By virtue's precepts to control The furious passions of the soul, Is over wider realms to reign, Unenvied monarch, than if Spain\\ You could to distant Libya join, And both the Carthages were thine." Francis. And the following from Ovid is not less striking: - Fortior est qui se, quam qui fortissima vincit Moenia, nec virtus altius ire potest. "He is more of a hero who has conquered himself, than he who has taken the best fortfied city." Beyond this self-conquest the highest courage can not extend; nor did their philosophy teach any thing more sublime.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

To overcome our own passions, requires more steady management, than obtaining victory over an enemy.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Proverbs 16:32 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ט֤וֹבTov[is] goodH2896

אֶ֣רֶךְ'E.rekha [person] long ofH750

אַ֭פַּיִם'A.pa.yimanger<s>H639

מִגִּבּ֑וֹרmi.gi.Bormore than a warriorH1368

וּמֹשֵׁ֥לu.mo.Sheland [one who] rulesH4910

בְּ֝רוּח֗וֹbe.ru.Choover spirit hisH7307

מִלֹּכֵ֥דmi.lo.Khedmore than [one who] capturesH3920

עִֽיר\׃'Ira cityH5892

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Proverbs 16:32

James 1:19
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
Proverbs 15:18
A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
Proverbs 25:28
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
Proverbs 14:29
He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
Proverbs 19:11
The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
Romans 12:21
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Psalms 103:8
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
Ephesians 5:1
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
Revelation 3:21
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Proverbs 16:19
Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

that is.
14:29; 15:18; 19:11; Ps 103:8; Eph 5:1; Jas 1:19
and he.
19; 25:28; Ro 12:21; Re 3:21

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Proverbs 16:31
The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
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.
Proverbs 16:33
The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.

Read all of Proverbs 16

Proverbs 16:32 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Mejor es el que tarde se aira que el fuerte; y el que se enseñorea de su espíritu, que el que toma una ciudad.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Qui est lent à la colère vaut mieux que l’homme fort, et qui gouverne son esprit vaut mieux que celui qui prend une ville.
German Elberfelder 1871	Besser ein Langmütiger als ein Held, und wer seinen Geist beherrscht, als wer eine Stadt erobert.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Melior est patiens viro forti, et qui dominatur animo suo expugnatore urbium.