The Sadness of Proverbs

Proverbs 17 is highlighted with a lot of gray. That is a bad color in my highlighting legend. Fighting, fools, gossiping, and evil inclinations. Maybe I haven't paid close enough attention to the previous chapters, but this one has stood out in the hall of fame in sad workings of the human heart. 

However, there is a tender morsel found at the very end if the chapter: Proverbs 17:27-28

Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, 

and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. 

Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; 

when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent

Restrains is a good word. A parallel is found in James - "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger". In Proverbs 10, you'll find this: When words are many, transgression is not lacking,  but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. 

The formula is an easy one- Words + Large quantities = Sin. 

Back to restrain. Of course, re is back, while stringere means to tie or pull tight. In the Hebrew, there are many variations, but I found the verse here:

We can see the ways it's used consistently with the verses above. Restrain is an active, intentional doing and in no way passive. Diligence and Discipline is required and sought. Uphold me according to your Word. 

Knowledge, Understanding, Wise, and Intelligent anchor the end of the four verses. May they anchor me today.