Folly and constant quarrels can turn a household into a place of grief and erosion.
Family sorrow is again brought into view in Proverbs 19:13: A foolish son is destruction to his father, and the contentions of a wife are a constant dripping (v. 13). Solomon is describing household misery produced by folly and strife.
A foolish son becomes destruction to his father because a child’s choices affect the whole family. Folly consumes peace, hope, resources, and joy. It tears at the bonds meant for blessing.
Likewise, the contentions of a wife are a constant dripping. The image is of an ongoing irritation that wears a person down over time. The proverb is not dismissing women; it is condemning chronic quarrelsomeness in the home. Strife, wherever it comes from, slowly erodes what wisdom would build.
Proverbs 19:13
13 A foolish son is destruction to his father,
And the contentions of a wife are a constant dripping.
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Proverbs 19:13 meaning
Family sorrow is again brought into view in Proverbs 19:13: A foolish son is destruction to his father, and the contentions of a wife are a constant dripping (v. 13). Solomon is describing household misery produced by folly and strife.
A foolish son becomes destruction to his father because a child’s choices affect the whole family. Folly consumes peace, hope, resources, and joy. It tears at the bonds meant for blessing.
Likewise, the contentions of a wife are a constant dripping. The image is of an ongoing irritation that wears a person down over time. The proverb is not dismissing women; it is condemning chronic quarrelsomeness in the home. Strife, wherever it comes from, slowly erodes what wisdom would build.