It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel.
This is designed to rectify men's mistakes concerning strife. 1. Men think it is their wisdom to engage in quarrels; whereas it is the greatest folly that can be. He thinks himself a wise man that is quick in resenting affronts, that stands upon every nicety of honour and right, and will not abate an ace of either, that prescribes, and imposes, and gives law...
It is an honour for a man to cease from strife,.... As Abraham did, Gen 13:7; when engaged in a quarrel with his neighbour, or in a lawsuit, or in a religious controversy, especially when he finds he is in the wrong; and indeed, if he is in the right, when he perceives it is like to issue in no good, and is only about...
to cease from strife--or, better, "to dwell from or without strife," denoting the habit of life. fool . . . meddling-- (Pro 17:14).