Proverbs 29:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.

NIV: Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.

NASB: A fool always loses his temper, But a wise person holds it back.

CSB: A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise person holds it in check.

NLT: Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.

KJV: A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

NKJV: A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back.

Self-control is one of the biblical marks of godly wisdom (Proverbs 10:19; 25:28). The ability to control one's speech is especially valuable (Proverbs 17:27). A "fool" is someone who ignores godliness and common sense (Proverbs 8:32–36). Emotions are volatile (Proverbs 16:32) and need to be restrained by a reasoned mind (Romans 12:2). A foolish person lets his emotions control him.

This verse uses an uncommon Hebrew phrase associated with stopping the motion of a liquid, such as waves in the sea or water sloshing in a bucket (Psalm 65:7; 89:9). This captures the difficulty of calming one's own temper and holding in angry words (James 3:2–5). The solution to a lack of self-control is God's influence through the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22–24). One of Jesus' demonstrations of power was to calm dangerous waves with just a word (Mark 4:39–41). What's impossible for people (James 3:8) can be done through God's power (Luke 18:27).

Although the disciples James and John were not fools, they acted like fools by asking Jesus for permission to call down fire on Samaritan villages which rejected Jesus. They asked: "Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" (Luke 9:54). Jesus responded by rebuking them. The two disciples were the "Sons of Thunder" (Mark 3:17), but during His ministry Jesus transformed them into loving disciples.

Proverbs 29:1–11 begins with an especially dire warning. Solomon (Proverbs 25:1) contrasts righteous government to wicked rulers. The passage also cautions against deception and points out that righteousness is shown in being charitable to the poor. Arguing with fools is pointless, but there is great value in keeping one's temper in check.

Much of this passage refers to negative consequences of unwise attitudes or behavior: stubbornness leads to brokenness. Lack of self-control brings shame. Ignorant, ungodly rulers spread sin and corruption. Pride leads to humiliation. Most of these statements follow the two-part pattern established elsewhere in the book of Proverbs. The final lesson summarizes the deep difference between those who are godly and those who pursue their own desires.

This concludes the collection of Solomon's proverbs which King Hezekiah's men collected (Proverbs 25:1). Like previous passages, chapter 29 contrasts wisdom and folly, the benefits of heeding God's law and the devastating consequences of disobeying it, and the blessings of righteousness compared to the curses of sin.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.