Proverbs 3:30 Meaning and Explanation
“Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Do not quarrel without reason or provocation.
The Context of Proverbs 3:30
The virtue of restraint: avoiding conflict without just cause.
What Does Proverbs 3:30 Mean?
Striving with someone—contending, quarreling, fighting—is not inherently wrong, but it requires cause. To strive without cause, against someone who has done no harm, is pointless and wrong. The righteous person does not nurse grievances that do not exist or manufacture conflict.
This sets a high bar for conflict: genuine harm must justify it. The default is peace; conflict must be earned. A person prone to strife without cause is unreasonable and dangerous, lacking the temperance that wisdom brings.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 3:30
What does Proverbs 3:30 mean?
Do not quarrel without reason or provocation.
What is the context of Proverbs 3:30?
The virtue of restraint: avoiding conflict without just cause.