The prudent overlook an insult
Proverbs 12:16 - A prudent person thinks before acting, and has the ability to look past emotional responses to a situation.
AI-generated image of a man showing annoyance at another man
“Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.”
Proverbs 12:16 NIV
OK, I’ll admit it. I used to be a fool (Barb would probably say that I’m still a fool… but I have hope!).
I was what they call a “hot reactor,” someone who wouldn’t think before answering an insult. Even something that sounded vaguely like an insult was responded to with a snarky, snarling comment.
What, or who, changed me? Jesus.
My former self had a serious lack of two things: self-control and wisdom. Knowledge? I had plenty of it. But acquiring more wisdom took years of studying the Bible and praying to the Lord that He could teach me patience, self-control, and mercy.
In the Bible, a foolish person is often described as having little understanding or discernment, and taking action in impulsive ways. Reacting in anger can be very serious and destructive — think of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4:5-8, where jealousy led to anger with the end result of murder. The culture of ancient Israel valued self-control and patience, so the Bible, especially the Old Testament, is loaded with reminders of these virtues. What is the polar opposite of quickness to anger? The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) that brings self-control and patience.
The prudent overlook an insult. What is a prudent person? Proverbs will tell you that it’s a person with wisdom and foresight, like those in ancient Israel who were advisors to kings and leaders. A prudent person thinks before acting, and has the ability to look past emotional responses to a situation.
Jesus epitomizes the virtues of both humility and strength of character that are needed to overlook an insult. These virtues were chronicled in 1 Peter 2:23, “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus encouraged His followers to turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39). Overlooking a personal attack or insult shows maturity and is a manifestation of God’s character — “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” (Psalms 103:8)
Does this Proverb teach us that we should never get angry, particularly when someone is insulting us? No, but we should avoid making immediate and impulsive responses. Theologian Allen Ross, cited on Enduring Word, said this:
“It is not so much that the wise man represses anger or feelings but that he is more shrewd in dealing with it.”
Some Bible translations use the words “a prudent man covers shame” in the second half of this Proverb. Matthew Henry elaborated on these words in his commentary on Proverbs 12:16:
Meekness is wisdom: A prudent man covers shame.
(1.) He covers the passion that is in his own breast; when his spirit is stirred, and his heart hot within him, he keeps his mouth as with a bridle, and suppresses his resentments, by smothering and stifling them. Anger is shame, and, though a wise man be not perfectly free from it, yet he is ashamed of it, rebukes it, and suffers not the evil spirit to speak.
(2.) He covers the provocation that is given him, the indignity that is done him, winks at it, covers it as much as may be from himself, that he may not carry his resentments of it too far. It is a kindness to ourselves, and contributes to the repose of our own minds, to extenuate and excuse the injuries and affronts that we receive, instead of aggravating them and making the worst of them, as we are apt to do.1
I am still a fool; sometimes that annoyance bubbles up in me before I can stifle it with self-control and wisdom. But with God’s help, I am getting better.
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Today’s prayer is taken from Prayerz.org
Dear God, please help me to be wise and prudent in my actions. May I not be quick to show my annoyance or anger when insulted, but instead, help me to overlook the offense and respond with grace and kindness. Give me the strength to control my emotions and respond in a way that honors you. Thank you for your guidance and wisdom in all situations. Amen.
Scripture quotations taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica US, Inc.®. Used by permission.
BibleHub was accessed on January 20, 2025 for commentary on Proverbs 12:16
Commentary quotations from Enduring Word are used with the written permission of the author
Henry, Matthew. "Commentary on Proverbs 12." Blue Letter Bible. 1 Mar, 1996. Web. 20 Jan, 2025.