The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

The discretion of a man deferreth his anger. Discretion maketh a man long-suffering and patient of wrongs. The Hebrew is 'prolongeth' - i:e., puts it off to a distant time.

And (it is) his glory to pass over a transgression - not a disgrace, as the world regards any putting up with an affront. It is wisdom to pass quickly by, folly to rake up offensive filth. God is, of all beings, the most long-suffering, and 'passes by' the most offences, though ultimately the impenitent must pay the penalty of all (; ); 'Anger and lust are like a fire, which if you enclose, suffering it to have no emission, it perishes but give it the smallest vent, and it rages to the consumption of all it reaches' (Jeremy Taylor).

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