Context No. 3073 of 4322 · Proverbs

Proverbs 10:1-16: in context

1The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father; but a foolish son brings grief to his mother. 2Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death. 3The LORD will not allow the soul of the righteous to go hungry, but he thrusts away the desire of the wicked. 4He becomes poor who works with a lazy hand, but the hand of the diligent brings wealth. 5He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during the harvest is a son who causes shame. 6Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked. 7The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot. 8The wise in heart accept commandments, but a chattering fool will fall. 9He who walks blamelessly walks surely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out. 10One who winks with the eye causes sorrow, but a chattering fool will fall. 11The mouth of the righteous is a spring of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked. 12Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all wrongs. 13Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has discernment, but a rod is for the back of him who is void of understanding. 14Wise men lay up knowledge, but the mouth of the foolish is near ruin. 15The rich man’s wealth is his strong city. The destruction of the poor is their poverty. 16The labor of the righteous leads to life. The increase of the wicked leads to sin.

The proverbs of Solomon proper begin here, setting the wise against the foolish, the righteous against the wicked. A wise son gladdens a father; the LORD does not let the righteous go hungry; the diligent hand brings wealth; the memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.

Two gems shine out among the contrasts. The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, righteous words nourish and give life to others, while the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. And the famous line: hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. Hatred goes looking for reasons to fight and keeps old grievances alive; love, by contrast, covers, choosing not to expose or dwell on every wrong, and so it heals rather than inflames. The choice between stirring up and covering over runs through every relationship we have.

In my dealings with others, am I stirring up strife by keeping wrongs alive, or letting love cover offenses and bring peace?

Sources

Proverbs 10:12: "Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all wrongs."
Proverbs 10:11: "The mouth of the righteous is a spring of life."
1 Peter 4:8: "Above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins."