3 It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; but every fool will be quarreling.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
Meddling - See Proverbs 17:14 note.
It is an honoer for a man - The same sentiment as Proverbs 19:11.
It is an honour for a man to cease from strife,.... As Abraham did, Genesis 13:7; when engaged in a quarrel with his neighbour, or in a lawsuit, or in a religious controversy, especially when he finds he is in the wrong; and indeed, if he is in the right, when he perceives it is like to issue in no good, and is only about words to no profit, it is an honour to drop it;
but every fool will be meddling; with things he has no concern in, or is not equal to; yet will carry on the debate, though it is to his disgrace; see Proverbs 17:14.
To engage in quarrels is the greatest folly that can be. Yield, and even give up just demands, for peace' sake.
to cease from strife--or, better, "to dwell from or without strife," denoting the habit of life.
fool . . . meddling-- (Proverbs 17:14).
3 It is an honour to a man to remain far from strife;
But every fool showeth his teeth.
Or better: whoever is a fool quisquis amens, for the emphasis does not lie on this, that every fool, i.e., every single one of this sort, contends to the uttermost; but that whoever is only always a fool finds pleasure in such strife. Regarding התגּלּע, vid., Proverbs 17:14; Proverbs 18:1. On the contrary, it is an honour to a man to be peaceable, or, as it is here expressed, to remain far from strife. The phrase may be translated: to desist from strife; but in this case the word would be pointed שׁבת, which Hitzig prefers; for שׁבת from שׁבת means, 2-Samuel 23:7, annihilation (the termination of existence); also Exodus 21:19, שׁבתּו does not mean to be keeping holy day; but to be sitting, viz., at home, in a state of incapability for work. Rightly Fleischer: "ישׁב מן, like Arab. ḳ'ad ṣan, to remain sitting quiet, and thus to hold oneself removed from any kind of activity." He who is prudent, and cares for his honour, not only breaks off strife when it threatens to become passionate, but does not at all enter into it, keeps himself far removed from it.
Meddling - Is always ready to begin strife, and obstinate in the continuance of it.
*More commentary available at chapter level.