Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
English Standard Version (ESV)
All verses
Proverbs 14:29
What does Proverbs 14:29 mean?
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Proverbs 14:29
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse highlights that being "slow to anger" is directly linked to possessing "great understanding." It's not just about suppressing anger, but about a deep, inner wisdom that allows for patience, making your understanding visible to all.
Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This proverb immediately follows a section contrasting the righteous and the wicked, and the wise and the foolish. It sits within a broader discussion in Proverbs about the benefits of wisdom and the dangers of foolishness, urging readers toward thoughtful responses rather than impulsive actions. The verses before focus on honesty and diligence, setting a tone of practical righteousness that this verse builds upon by highlighting self-control as a key component of true understanding.
Ever notice how anger can make you feel physically flushed or short of breath? The ancient Hebrew has a vivid picture for this!
The verse contrasts being 'slow to anger' with being 'hasty of spirit.' The Hebrew for 'slow to anger' literally paints a picture of being 'long in the nostrils.' Think of it like this: when you're angry, your breath might get short and quick. But someone patient, someone 'long of nostril,' has a calm, steady breath. This physical image connects directly to emotional and mental control. It suggests that true wisdom isn't just about knowing things; it's about having the self-mastery to manage your impulses, especially anger. A wise person takes time to breathe, to think, and to respond with thoughtfulness rather than reaction.
What does it look like when someone is practically advertising their foolishness? Proverbs gives us a striking image.
The verse says the hasty temper 'exalts folly.' Imagine someone in a fit of rage, shouting, throwing things, or saying hurtful words. They aren't just feeling foolish; they are publicly displaying it for everyone to see. The original Hebrew word here can mean to 'lift up' or 'raise high,' much like a banner is raised to be seen. So, a hot temper doesn't just reveal foolishness; it parades it, making it obvious and prominent. It’s like waving a flag that says, 'Look how little control and wisdom I have!' This isn’t a subtle flaw; it’s an open proclamation of immaturity and poor judgment.
Understand the original words
Ask a follow-up
erek appayim · Hebrew Adjective/Noun Phrase
Patience, self-control, and the ability to refrain from impulsive wrath. It is considered a mark of wisdom and spiritual maturity.
iwweleth · Hebrew Noun
Foolishness or moral lack of judgment; acting in defiance of God's wisdom. It is the antithesis of the fear of the Lord.
This passage echoes Proverbs' wisdom, directly commanding believers to 'be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger,' highlighting the connection between self-control and righteous living.
Proverbs 15:18This verse provides a parallel thought, stating 'A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel,' further emphasizing the destructive nature of a hasty spirit versus the peace-bringing quality of patience.
Ephesians 4:2Paul encourages believers to 'bear with each other in love,' which directly relates to the virtue of being slow to anger described in Proverbs, showing the New Testament application of this ancient wisdom.
Colossians 3:12This passage calls believers to 'clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,' underscoring the positive character traits that are the fruit of being slow to anger, as praised in Proverbs.
Galatians 5:22-23The description of the fruit of the Spirit includes 'patience' and 'gentleness,' contrasting with the 'works of the flesh' like 'bursts of anger,' reinforcing the idea that a calm spirit is a sign of spiritual maturity.
pulpitProverbs 14:29: "He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly."
Verse 29. - He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding. The Hebrew expression for what the Septuagint calls μακροθυμος, "long suffering," and the Vulgate, patiens, is "long in nostrils" (Proverbs 15:18), as the contrary temper, which we had in ver. 17, is "short in nostrils." That organ, into which was breathed the breath of life (Genesis 2:7), is taken as the seat of the…
pooleProverbs 14:29: "He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly."
Is of great understanding; showeth great and true wisdom in conquering his sinful and shameful passions. Exalteth, Heb. lifteth up , like a banner; makes it known and visible to all men.
The verse highlights that being "slow to anger" is directly linked to possessing "great understanding." It's not just about suppressing anger, but about a deep, inner wisdom that allows for patience, making your understanding visible to all.
This proverb immediately follows a section contrasting the righteous and the wicked, and the wise and the foolish. It sits within a broader discussion in Proverbs about the benefits of wisdom and the dangers of foolishness, urging readers toward thoughtful responses rather than impulsive actions. The verses before focus on honesty and diligence, setting a tone of practical righteousness that this verse builds upon by highlighting self-control as a key component of true understanding.
This proverb immediately follows a section contrasting the righteous and the wicked, and the wise and the foolish. It sits within a broader discussion in Proverbs about the benefits of wisdom and the dangers of foolishness, urging readers toward thoughtful responses rather than impulsive actions. The verses before focus on honesty and diligence, setting a tone of practical righteousness that this verse builds upon by highlighting self-control as a key component of true understanding.
"Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly." — The verse highlights that being "slow to anger" is directly linked to possessing "great understanding." It's not just about suppressing anger, but about a deep, inner wisdom that allows for patience,…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026