Meddling in another man's quarrel is grabbing a strange dog by the ears.
Opening another unit on quarreling and harmful speech, Proverbs 26:17 paints a dangerous and reckless image: Like one who takes a dog by the ears is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him (v. 17).
Grabbing a strange dog by its ears guarantees a bite. The dog has no choice but to defend itself, and the man who grabbed it has put his own face within reach of teeth.
He who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him. The man who inserts himself into someone else's quarrel has done the same thing. He has put himself in reach of the anger of strangers, anger he could have avoided simply by walking past. The verse counsels minding one's own business. Most disputes get worse with bystanders involved.
Proverbs 26:17
17 Like one who takes a dog by the ears
Is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him.
Set to dark mode
Proverbs 26:17 meaning
Opening another unit on quarreling and harmful speech, Proverbs 26:17 paints a dangerous and reckless image: Like one who takes a dog by the ears is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him (v. 17).
Grabbing a strange dog by its ears guarantees a bite. The dog has no choice but to defend itself, and the man who grabbed it has put his own face within reach of teeth.
He who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him. The man who inserts himself into someone else's quarrel has done the same thing. He has put himself in reach of the anger of strangers, anger he could have avoided simply by walking past. The verse counsels minding one's own business. Most disputes get worse with bystanders involved.