Proverbs 20:3

“[It is] an honour for a man to cease from strife, etc.] As Abraham did, (<011307>Genesis 13:7,8); 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 <201714> Proverbs 17:14).”

“to cease from strife--or, better, "to dwell from or without strife," denoting the habit of life. fool . . . meddling-- (Pro 17:14).”

“Meddling - See Proverbs 17:14 note. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Meddling - Is always ready to begin strife, and obstinate in the continuance of it. Proverbs 20:5”

“an: Pro 14:29, Pro 16:32, Pro 17:14, Pro 19:11, Pro 25:8-10; Eph 1:6-8, Eph 4:32, Eph 5:1 but: Pro 14:17, Pro 18:6, Pro 21:24; Kg2 14:9; Jam 3:14, Jam 4:1 Proverbs 20:4”

“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., Pro 17:14; Pro 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, Sa2 23:7, annihilation (the termination of existence); also Exo…”