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.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(32) He that is slow to anger. . . .—For victory over self is the hardest of all victories. (Comp. 1Corinthians 9:27.)

Benson Commentary

Proverbs 16:32. He that is slow to anger — That can suppress its motions, and does not revenge, but shows himself ready to forgive injuries; is better than the mighty — Because he is more like God, more wise to foresee, and to prevent mischief both to himself and others, which often arises from rash anger; of a more gallant and generous spirit, and more valiant and victorious. This is opposed to the perverse judgment of the world, who esteem such persons pusillanimous and cowardly; and he that ruleth his spirit — That hath power to govern all his own inclinations, affections, and passions by reason; than he that taketh a city — Hath a nobler empire than he that subdues cities and countries by force of arms. For the conquest of ourselves, and our own unruly passions, requires more true conduct, and a more steady, constant, and regular management, than the obtaining of a victory over the forces of an enemy. A rational conquest is more honourable to a rational creature, than a brutal one; it is a victory that doth nobody any harm; no lives or treasures are sacrificed to it, but only some base lusts. It is harder, and therefore more glorious, to quash an insurrection at home than to resist an invasion from abroad; nay, such are the gains of meekness, that by it we are more than conquerors.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

16:27,28. Ungodly men bestow more pains to do mischief than would be needful to do good. The whisperer separates friends: what a hateful, but how common a character! 29,30. Some do all the mischief they can by force and violence, and are blind to the result. 31. Old people especially should be found in the way of religion and godliness. 32. To overcome our own passions, requires more steady management, than obtaining victory over an enemy. 33. All the disposal of Providence concerning our affairs, we must look upon to be the determining what we referred to God; and we must be reconciled to them accordingly. Blessed are those that give themselves up to the will of God; for he knows what is good for them.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Omit "if." Literally, "it (i. e., the hoary head) is found in the way of righteousness," comes as the reward of righteousness.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

32. (Compare Pr 14:29).

taketh a city—that is, by fighting.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

He that is slow to anger, not apt to revenge, but ready to forgive injuries,

is better than the mighty, because he is more like to God, more wise to foresee and to prevent mischief, both to himself and others, which oft cometh from rash anger, of a more gallant and generous spirit, and more valiant and victorious, as it follows. This is opposed to the perverse judgment of the world, who esteem such persons pusillanimous and cowardly.

That ruleth his spirit; that subdueth his passions; for his victory is the more glorious, because he fights with the stronger enemy; he conquers by his own, and not by other men’s hands, and he gets a greater glory and advantage to himself, and that without the injury and ruin of others, wherewith the conquests of cities are commonly attended.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty,.... Than a mighty warrior or conqueror; as Alexander who conquered his enemies, and even all the world, and yet in his wrath slew his best friends: a man that is slow to anger is esteemed by the Lord, respected by men, and is happy in himself; and is preferable to the strongest man that is not master of himself and of his passions;

and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city; one that has the command of his temper, that can govern himself, and not suffer his passions to exceed due bounds, is superior in strength to him that can storm a castle or take a fortified city; it is easier to do the one than the other; courage of mind joined with wisdom, and assisted by a proper number of persons, may do the one; but it requires the grace of God, and the assistance of his spirit, thoroughly to do the other. Cicero says (t), in all ages

"fewer men are found who conquer their own lusts than that overcome the armies of enemies.''

(t) Epist. l. 5. Ephesians 4.

Geneva Study Bible

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

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

32. Of the many parallels to the sentiment of this proverb that are to be found in classical literature, none is closer than the familiar saying of Ovid (Epist. ex Pont. ii. 16:75):

“Fortior est qui se, quam qui fortissima vincit

Mœnia; nec virtus altius ire potest.”

Lange and others quote Pirke Aboth, iv.2, where the question; Who is a hero?, is answered by reference to this verse.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 32. - He that is slow to anger (Proverbs 14:29) is better than the mighty. The long suffering, non-irascible man is more of a hero than the valiant commander of a great army. One overcomes external foes or obstacles; the other conquers himself; as it is said, And he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city (Proverbs 25:28). 'Pirke Aboth,' 4:1, "Who is the hero? The man that restrains his thoughts." Maxims about self-mastery are common enough. Says an unknown poet, "Fortior est qui se quam qui fortissima vincit Moenia, nec virtus altius ire potest." So Publ. Syr., 'Sent.,' 795, "Fortior est qui cupiditates suas, quam qui hostes subjicit." And the mediaeval jingle -

"Linguam fraenare
Plus est quam castra domare." At the end of this verse the Alexandrian Manuscript of the Septuagint, followed by later hands in some other uncials, adds, "and a man having prudence [is better] than a great farm." Proverbs 16:32

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

32 Better one slow to anger than a hero in war;

     And whoever is master of his spirit, than he who taketh a city.

Regarding ארך אפּים, vid., Proverbs 14:29, where קצר־רוּח was the parallel of the contrast. The comparison is true as regards persons, with reference to the performances expressed, and (since warlike courage and moral self-control may be united in one person) they are properly those in which the טוב determines the moral estimate. In Pirke Aboth iv. 1, the question, "Who is the hero?" is answered by, "he who overcomes his desire," with reference to this proverb, for that which is here said of the ruling over the passion of anger is true of all affections and passions.

"Yet he who reigns within himself, and rules

Passions, desires, and fears, is more a king

Which every wise and virtuous man attains."

(Note: Milton's Paradise Regained, ii.-466-8.)

On the other side, the comparison is suggested:

Break your head, not so sore;

Break your will - that is more.

(Note: "Zerbrich den Kopf dir nicht so sehr; Zerbreich den Willen - das ist mehr." - Matth. Claudius)