32 One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
He that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city - It is much easier to subdue an enemy without than one within. There have been many kings who had conquered nations, and yet were slaves to their own passions. Alexander, who conquered the world, was a slave to intemperate anger, and in a fit of it slew Clytus, the best and most intimate of all his friends, and one whom he loved beyond all others.
The spirit of this maxim is so self-evident, that most nations have formed similar proverbs. The classical reader will remember the following in Hor., Odar. lib. ii., Od. 2: -
Latius regnes, avidum domando
Spiritum, quam si Libyam remotis
Gadibus jungas, et uterque Poenus
Serviat uni.
"By virtue's precepts to control
The furious passions of the soul,
Is over wider realms to reign,
Unenvied monarch, than if Spain\\\ppar You could to distant Libya join,
And both the Carthages were thine."
Francis.
And the following from Ovid is not less striking: -
Fortior est qui se, quam qui fortissima vincit
Moenia, nec virtus altius ire potest.
"He is more of a hero who has conquered himself, than he who has taken the best fortfied city."
Beyond this self-conquest the highest courage can not extend; nor did their philosophy teach any thing more sublime.
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. Ep. 4.
To overcome our own passions, requires more steady management, than obtaining victory over an enemy.
(Compare Proverbs 14:29).
taketh a city--that is, by fighting.
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)
Is better - Of a more gallant and generous spirit, and more valiant and victorious.
*More commentary available at chapter level.