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

Among the proud there are always contentions: but they that do all things with counsel, are ruled by wisdom.

A vain man through pride causeth debate, And with the counselled is wisdom.

Only by pride comes contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

The only effect of pride is fighting; but wisdom is with the quiet in spirit.

Among the arrogant, there are always conflicts. But those who do everything with counsel are ruled by wisdom.

Either:
(1) "By pride alone comes contention" - that is the one unfailing spring of quarrels; or
(2) "By pride comes contention only" - it, and it alone, is the fruit of pride.

By pride cometh contention - Perhaps there is not a quarrel among individuals in private life, nor a war among nations, that does not proceed from pride and ambition. Neither man nor nation will be content to be less than another; and to acquire the wished-for superiority all is thrown into general confusion, both in public and private life. It was to destroy this spirit of pride, that Jesus was manifested in the extreme of humility and humiliation among men. The salvation of Christ is a deliverance from pride, and a being clothed with humility. As far as we are humble, so far we are saved.

Only by pride (d) cometh contention: but with the well advised [is] wisdom.
(d) When as every man contends to have preeminence, and will not give place to another.

Only by pride cometh contention,.... Though it comes by other things, yet by this chiefly, and there are no contentions without it: or "truly", "verily", "certainly (d), by pride", &c. Unless the words may be better rendered, "an empty man through pride will give contention" (e), or make it; such as are empty of knowledge and wisdom; and such are generally the most proud, and are very apt to raise contentions, and foment divisions: contentions in families, in neighbourhoods, in towns, cities, and countries, and in churches, are generally owing to pride; what contentions and confusions has the pride of the pope of Rome brought into kingdoms and states, into councils, and into the church of God!
but with the well advised is wisdom: such who are humble and modest will seek counsel of God; will consult the sacred oracles, and ask advice of those who are superior to them in knowledge and understanding; and so will neither raise contentions themselves, nor join with those that make them, but do all they can to lay them; these show that true wisdom is with them.
(d) "certe", Vatablus; "vere", Pagninus, Montanus, Merecrus. (e) "Levis per superbiam dabit contentionam", Gejerus.

All contentions, whether between private persons, families, churches, or nations, are begun and carried forward by pride. Disputes would be easily prevented or ended, if it were not for pride.

The obstinacy which attends self-conceit, produces contention, which the well-advised, thus evincing modesty, avoid.

10 Nothing comes by pride but contention;
But wisdom is with those who receive counsel.
The restrictive רק (only) does not, according to the sense, belong to בּזדון (by pride), but to מצּה, vid., under Psalm 32:6 and Job 2:10. Of יתּן = there is, vid., under Proverbs 10:24. Bertheau's "one causes" is not exact, for "one" [man] is the most general personal subject, but יתן is in such cases to be regarded as impersonal: by pride is always a something which causes nothing but quarrel and strife, for the root of pride is egoism. Line second is a variant to Proverbs 11:2. Bescheidenheit (modesty) is in our old [German] language exactly equivalent to Klugheit (prudence). But here the צנועים are more exactly designated as permitting themselves to be advised; the elsewhere reciprocal נועץ has here once a tolerative signification, although the reciprocal is also allowable: with such as reciprocally advise themselves, and thus without positiveness supplement each his own knowledge by means of that of another. Most interpreters regard 10b as a substantival clause, but why should not יתן be carried forward? With such as permit themselves to be advised, or are not too proud to sustain with others the relation of giving and receiving, there is wisdom, since instead of hatred comes wisdom - the peaceful fruit resulting from an interchange of views.

Pride - It is chiefly, pride which blows up the coals of contention. Well - advised - Who are not governed by their passions, but by prudent considerations. Wisdom - Which teaches them to avoid contention.