Proverbs 20:3 Meaning and Explanation
“It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Honorable people end conflicts, while fools cannot resist meddling and prolonging disputes.
The Context of Proverbs 20:3
The proverb contrasts the strength of self-restraint with the weakness of constant conflict-seeking.
What Does Proverbs 20:3 Mean?
Withdrawing from a fight or argument requires strength and self-control; the proverb calls this honorable rather than shameful. A person of character can let offenses pass, decline to escalate tensions, and walk away from needless conflict, understanding that engaging feeds the cycle.
By contrast, fools involve themselves constantly in disputes—they meddle, interfere, and perpetuate strife. They lack the wisdom to recognize which battles drain energy and which deserve silence, so they remain entangled in endless contention.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 20:3
What does Proverbs 20:3 mean?
Honorable people end conflicts, while fools cannot resist meddling and prolonging disputes.
What is the context of Proverbs 20:3?
The proverb contrasts the strength of self-restraint with the weakness of constant conflict-seeking.