Proverbs 29

“A fool always loses his temper, but a wise man holds it back” (v11). The proverbs teach us that we are each given the primary responsibility to control our own actions and attitudes; we can’t control other people. Conflicts with unreasonable people don’t end well; they either “rage or laugh” (v9), and no progress is made. On the other hand, if we are in a position of authority, we can use consequences (rather than words alone) to train and teach (v15-17).

Angry, thoughtless, destructive habits of behavior (v1,22) hurt everyone, but self-control and humility are a blessing (v18,23).