SEV Biblia, Chapter 16:32
¶ Mejor es el que tarde se aíra que el fuerte; y el que se enseñorea de su espíritu, que el que toma una ciudad.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Proverbs 16:32
Verse 32. He that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city. ] It is much easier to subdue an enemy without than one within. There have been many kings who had conquered nations, and yet were slaves to their own passions. Alexander, who conquered the world, was a slave to intemperate anger, and in a fit of it slew Clytus, the best and most intimate of all his friends, and one whom he loved beyond all others. The spirit of this maxim is so self-evident, that most nations have formed similar proverbs. The classical reader will remember the following in HOR., Odar. lib. ii., Od. 2: - Latius regnes, avidum domando Spiritum, quam si Libyam remotis Gadibus jungas, et uterque Poenus Serviat uni.
"By virtue's precepts to control The furious passions of the soul, Is over wider realms to reign, Unenvied monarch, than if Spain You could to distant Libya join, And both the Carthages were thine." FRANCIS.
And the following from OVID is not less striking: ] Fortior est qui se, quam qui fortissima vincit Moenia, nec virtus altius ire potest.
"He is more of a hero who has conquered himself, than he who has taken the best fortfied city." Beyond this self-conquest the highest courage can not extend; nor did their philosophy teach any thing more sublime.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 32. [He that is] slow to anger is better than the mighty , etc.] Than a mighty warrior or conqueror; as Alexander who conquered his enemies, and even all the world, and yet in his wrath slew his best friends: a man that is slow to anger is esteemed by the Lord, respected by men, and is happy in himself; and is preferable to the strongest man that is not master of himself and of his passions; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city ; one that has the command of his temper, that can govern himself, and not suffer his passions to exceed due bounds, is superior in strength to him that can storm a castle or take a fortified city; it is easier to do the one than the other; courage of mind joined with wisdom, and assisted by a proper number of persons, may do the one; but it requires the grace of God, and the assistance of his spirit, thoroughly to do the other. Cicero says f477 , in all ages “fewer men are found who conquer their own lusts than that overcome the armies of enemies.”
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 32 - To overcome our own passions, requires more steady management, tha obtaining victory over an enemy.
Original Hebrew
טוב 2896 ארך 750 אפים 639 מגבור 1368 ומשׁל 4910 ברוחו 7307 מלכד 3920 עיר׃ 5892
