He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
This proverb belongs to Solomon's writings in the last fifteen chapters of Proverbs, in the section beginning at chapter 25 copied out by the scribes of Hezekiah from Solomon's writings, and Solomon wrote three thousand proverbs, the greater part written about the year 1000 and later. A passerby who meddles with strife belonging not to him takes hold of danger and harm, like one who grabs a dog by the ears. The image is of holding a savage dog by the ears without daring to release it for fear of feeling its ferocious fangs. The meddler and busybody in other men's matters invariably becomes entangled in the matter he professes to be straightening out.
The proverb calls for being slow to wrath, slow to anger, and slow in words, for letting moderation be known, for suffering long and being kind, and for not being easily provoked or quick on the trigger. It calls for ruling over one's own spirit, mouth, and tongue, for using long forbearance and soft speech that persuades, and for keeping the soul from troubles. It counts patience as better than might, finds honor in ceasing from strife, and leaves off contention at its beginning before it spreads. It refuses friendship and close company with angry and furious men lest their ways become a snare.
It is wiser to yield rather than contest even a lesser right, since avoiding strife is wiser than risking the harm it can bring. Backbiting, gossip, spreading discord, and carrying scandal from house to house are forms of such meddling. They oppose the unity required for receiving the Holy Spirit and must be confessed and put away.
This proverb belongs to Solomon's writings in the last fifteen chapters of Proverbs, in the section beginning at chapter 25 copied out by the scribes of Hezekiah from Solomon's writings, and Solomon wrote three thousand proverbs, the greater part written about the year 1000 and later. A passerby who meddles with strife belonging not to him takes hold of danger and harm, like one who grabs a dog by the ears. The image is of holding a savage dog by the ears without daring to release it for fear of feeling its ferocious fangs. The meddler and busybody in other men's matters invariably becomes entangled in the matter he professes to be straightening out.
The proverb calls for being slow to wrath, slow to anger, and slow in words, for letting moderation be known, for suffering long and being kind, and for not being easily provoked or quick on the trigger. It calls for ruling over one's own spirit, mouth, and tongue, for using long forbearance and soft speech that persuades, and for keeping the soul from troubles. It counts patience as better than might, finds honor in ceasing from strife, and leaves off contention at its beginning before it spreads. It refuses friendship and close company with angry and furious men lest their ways become a snare.
It is wiser to yield rather than contest even a lesser right, since avoiding strife is wiser than risking the harm it can bring. Backbiting, gossip, spreading discord, and carrying scandal from house to house are forms of such meddling. They oppose the unity required for receiving the Holy Spirit and must be confessed and put away.