Proverbs 17:14 - Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness

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Context

Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness
…13If anyone returns evil for good, evil will never leave his house. 14To start a quarrel is to release a flood; so abandon the dispute before it breaks out. 15Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous—both are detestable to the LORD.…

Cross References

James 3:5-6
In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. / The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.Romans 12:18
If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.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.2 Timothy 2:23-24
But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling. / And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing.Galatians 5:15
But if you keep on biting and devouring one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.1 Corinthians 1:10
I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree together, so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united in mind and conviction.Colossians 3:13
Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.Titus 3:9
But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless.Hebrews 12:14
Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.Genesis 13:8
So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no contention between you and me, or between your herdsmen and my herdsmen. After all, we are kinsmen.Genesis 45:24
Then Joseph sent his brothers on their way, and as they were leaving, he said to them, “Do not quarrel on the way!”Exodus 17:7
He named the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled, and because they tested the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?”1 Samuel 25:24-25
She fell at his feet and said, “My lord, may the blame be on me alone, but please let your servant speak to you; hear the words of your servant. / My lord should pay no attention to this scoundrel Nabal, for he lives up to his name: His name means Fool, and folly accompanies him. I, your servant, did not see my lord’s young men whom you sent.2 Samuel 2:14-17
Then Abner said to Joab, “Let us have the young men get up and compete before us.” “Let them get up,” Joab replied. / So they got up and were counted off—twelve for Benjamin and Ish-bosheth son of Saul, and twelve for David. / Then each man grabbed his opponent by the head and thrust his sword into his opponent’s side, and they all fell together. So this place, which is in Gibeon, is called Helkath-hazzurim. ...

Proverbs 17:19
He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.

Proverbs 26:21
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

Proverbs 29:22
An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

leave

Proverbs 13:10
Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

Proverbs 14:29
He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

Proverbs 15:1
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

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Proverbs 17

To start a quarrel is to release a flood;
This phrase uses the imagery of a flood to describe the consequences of initiating a quarrel. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, floods were often sudden and destructive, symbolizing chaos and uncontrollable forces. The Bible frequently uses water imagery to convey overwhelming situations (e.g., Psalm 69:1-2). The comparison suggests that once a quarrel begins, it can quickly escalate beyond control, much like a flood that breaks through barriers. This aligns with the biblical principle of sowing and reaping, where actions have consequences (Galatians 6:7-8).

so abandon the dispute before it breaks out.
The advice to abandon a dispute before it escalates reflects the biblical value of peace and reconciliation. Proverbs often emphasizes the importance of wisdom in maintaining harmony and avoiding unnecessary conflict (Proverbs 15:1). In the cultural context of ancient Israel, community and familial relationships were vital, and disputes could disrupt social harmony. This counsel is consistent with New Testament teachings on peacemaking, as seen in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, where He blesses the peacemakers (Matthew 5:9). The proactive approach to avoiding conflict also mirrors the teachings of Paul, who advises believers to live at peace with everyone as much as possible (Romans 12:18).

Persons / Places / Events

1. Solomon
Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His proverbs often provide practical guidance for living a life that honors God.

2. Ancient Israel
The cultural and historical context of Proverbs is ancient Israel, where wisdom literature was a key component of teaching and moral instruction.

3. Quarrel
The event or action described in this verse is the initiation of a quarrel, which is likened to releasing a flood, indicating the potential for widespread damage and chaos.

Teaching Points

The Power of Words
Words can either build up or tear down. Initiating a quarrel is like opening the floodgates, leading to potential destruction. We must choose our words carefully.

The Wisdom of Restraint
Exercising self-control and restraint can prevent unnecessary conflict. It is wise to abandon disputes before they escalate.

The Consequences of Conflict
Just as a flood can cause widespread damage, so can unresolved disputes. Understanding the potential consequences can motivate us to seek peace.

The Call to Peacemaking
As followers of Christ, we are called to be peacemakers. This involves actively seeking to resolve conflicts and promote harmony.

The Role of Humility
Humility allows us to step back from a quarrel, recognizing that winning an argument is less important than maintaining relationships and peace.

(14) The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water.--The drops which ooze through a tiny hole in the bank of a reservoir soon swell into an unmanageable torrent; so from insignificant beginnings arise feuds which cannot be appeased. Solomon constructed large pools (Ecclesiastes 2:6) beyond Bethlehem, and is supposed to have brought the water from these by an aqueduct into Jerusalem.

Before it be meddled with.--The same expression is used at Proverbs 18:1; Proverbs 20:3. It probably means before (men) show their teeth, a metaphor from an angry dog.

Verse 14. - The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water. The small rift in the bank of a reservoir of water, if not immediately secured, is soon enlarged and gets beyond control, occasioning widespread ruin and destruction; so from small and insignificant causes, which might at first have been easily checked, arise feuds and quarrels which extend in a wide circle, and cannot be appeased. Palestine was largely dependent upon its reservoirs for the storage of water, perennial springs being of rare occurrence. The three pools of Solomon in the neighbourhood of Bethlehem, which were connected by channels with Jerusalem, are still to be seen in all their massive grandeur; and, indeed, every town had its reservoir, or tank, as we find in India at the present time. These receptacles had to be kept in good repair, or disastrous consequences might ensue. On the tendency of a quarrel to grow to a dangerous extent, a Bengal proverb speaks of "going in a needle and coming out a ploughshare." Vulgate, Qui dimittit aquam, caput est jurgiorum, which seems to mean that the man who needlessly lets the water of a cistern run to waste gives occasion to quarrels. But St. Gregory ('Moral.,' 5:13), commenting on the passage, interprets differently: "It is well said by Solomon, 'He that letteth out water is a head of strife.' For the water is let out when the flowing of the tongue is let loose. And he that letteth out water is made the beginning of strife, in that, by the incontinency of the lips, the commencement of discord is afforded" (Oxford transl.). Probably, however, in the Latin, as in the Hebrew, the particle of comparison is suppressed, so that the clause means, "As he who lets out water, so is he who gives occasion to strife." Therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with. The last word חַתְלַֺגּלַּע is of doubtful interpretation. It occurs in Proverbs 18:1 and Proverbs 20:3, and is variously translated, "before it rushes forward," "before it grows warm," "before a man becomes wrathful." But Hitzig, Nowaek, and others take it to signify, "before men show their teeth," like angry dogs snarling at one another. The moralist advises men to subdue angry passions at once before they become exacerbated. The Vulgate seems to have quite mistaken the clause, translating, Antequam patiatur contumeliam, judicium deserit, which seems to mean that a patient, peace-loving man (in contrast with the irascible) avoids lawsuits before he is involved in a lasting quarrel. Septuagint, "The beginning (ἀρχὴ) of justice gives power to words; but discord and contention lead the way to want." The Greek commentators see here an allusion to the clepsydra, the water clock which regulated the length of the speeches in a court of law; but the reference is by no means clear. Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

To start
רֵאשִׁ֣ית (rê·šîṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 7225: The first, in place, time, order, rank

a quarrel
מָד֑וֹן (mā·ḏō·wn)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4066: A contest, quarrel

is to release
פּ֣וֹטֵֽר (pō·w·ṭêr)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6362: To cleave, burst through, to emit

a flood;
מַ֭יִם (ma·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

so abandon
נְטֽוֹשׁ׃ (nə·ṭō·wōš)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 5203: To pound, smite, to disperse, to thrust off, down, out, upon

the dispute
הָרִ֥יב (hā·rîḇ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7379: Strife, dispute

before
וְלִפְנֵ֥י (wə·lip̄·nê)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

it breaks out.
הִ֝תְגַּלַּ֗ע (hiṯ·gal·la‘)
Verb - Hitpael - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1566: To expose, lay bare

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Proverbs 17:14 Catholic BibleOT Poetry: Proverbs 17:14 The beginning of strife is like breaching (Prov. Pro Pr)