Proverbs 21:14

“A gift in secret pacifieth anger, etc.] Appeases an angry man; humbles and “brings [his anger] down”f578, as Aben Ezra and Gersom observe the word signifies; which before rose very high, and showed itself in big words and disdainful looks, as proud wrath does; or extinguishes it, as the Targum and Vulgate Latin version render it, and very fitly. Anger is a fire in the breast; and a restraining or causing it to cease is properly expressed by an extinguishing of it: this a gift or present does, as it did in Esau from Jacob, in David from Abigail; but then it must be secretly given, otherwise it may more provoke; since it may show vanity in the giver, and covetousness in the receiver; and the…”

“The effect of bribery (Pro 17:23) is enhanced by secrecy, as the bribed person does not wish his motives made known.”

“In secret - Which makes it more acceptable. In the bosom - Secretly conveyed into the bosom. Proverbs 21:16”

“gift: Pro 17:8, Pro 17:23, Pro 18:16, Pro 19:6; Gen 32:20, Gen 43:11; Sa1 25:35 in secret: Mat 6:3, Mat 6:4 Proverbs 21:15”

“14 A gift in secret turneth away anger; And a bribe into the bosom violent wrath. Hitzig reads with Symmachus, the Targ., and Jerome, יכבּה, and translates: "extinguishes anger;" but it does not follow that they did read יכבה; for the Talm. Heb. כּפה signifies to cover by turning over, e.g., of a vessel, Sanhedrin 77a, which, when it is done to a candle or a fire, may mean its extinction. But כפה of the post-bibl. Heb. also means to bend, and thence to force out (Aram. כּפא, כּפי), according to which Kimchi hesitates whether to explain: overturns = smothers, or: bends = forces down anger. The Venet. follows the latter signification: κάμψει (for Villoison's καλύψει rests on a false reading…”