Proverbs 17:14 Meaning and Explanation
“The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Conflict, once begun, is as hard to stop as water once released; prevent it by stepping back.
The Context of Proverbs 17:14
Proverbs teaches the value of avoiding conflict rather than trying to win it.
What Does Proverbs 17:14 Mean?
The verse uses the image of a dam breaking or a flood gate opening. Once water is released, it flows everywhere, impossible to recapture or control. Strife operates the same way—the moment the first harsh word is spoken or the first blow struck, the conflict begins to spread beyond anyone's ability to manage it. The point of intervention is before the breach occurs.
The practical wisdom here is stark: do not enter the dispute at all. Walk away before the argument heats up, before voices rise, before pride locks in. The cost of preventing a conflict before it starts is minimal compared to the devastation once it has begun. Prevention, not victory, is the prize.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 17:14
What does Proverbs 17:14 mean?
Conflict, once begun, is as hard to stop as water once released; prevent it by stepping back.
What is the context of Proverbs 17:14?
Proverbs teaches the value of avoiding conflict rather than trying to win it.