New Revised Standard Version
The beginning of strife is like letting out water; so stop before the quarrel breaks out.

Contemporary English Version
The start of an argument is like a water leak--so stop it before real trouble breaks out.

New American Bible
The start of strife is like the opening of a dam; check a quarrel before it bursts forth!

Douay-Rheims Bible
The beginning of quarrels is as when one letteth out water: and before he suffereth reproach, he forsaketh judgment.

The beginning of quarrels is as when one letteth out water: and before he suffereth reproach, he forsaketh judgment.

beginning

Proverbs 17:19 He that studieth discords, loveth quarrels: and he that exalteth his door, seeketh ruin.

Proverbs 26:21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire, so an angry man stirreth up strife.

Proverbs 29:22 A passionate man provoketh quarrels: and he that is easily stirred up to wrath, shall be more prone to sin.

Judges 12:1-6 But behold there arose a sedition in Ephraim. And passing towards the north, they said to Jephte: When thou wentest to fight against the children of Ammon, why wouldst thou not call us, that we might go with thee? Therefore we will burn thy house. . . .

2 Samuel 2:14-17 And Abner said to Joab: Let the young men rise, and play before us. And Joab answered: Let them rise. . . .

2 Samuel 19:41-43 Therefore all the men of Israel running together to the king, said to him: Why have our brethren the men of Juda stolen thee away, and have brought the king and his household over the Jordan, and all the men of David with him? . . .

2 Samuel 20:1 And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Seba, the son of Bochri, a man of Jemini: and he sounded the trumpet, and said: We have no part in David, nor inheritance in the son of Isai: return to thy dwellings, O Israel.

2 Chronicles 10:14-16 And he spoke according to the advice of the young men: My father laid upon you a heavy yoke, which I will make heavier: my father beat you with scourges, but I will beat you with scorpions. . . .

2 Chronicles 13:17 And Abia and his people slew them with a great slaughter, and there fell wounded of Israel five hundred thousand valiant men.

2 Chronicles 25:17-24 Then Amasias king of Juda taking very bad counsel, sent to Joas the son of Joachaz the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying: Come, let us see one another. . . .

2 Chronicles 28:6 For Phacee the son of Romelia slew of Juda a hundred and twenty thousand in one day, all valiant men, because they had forsaken the Lord the God of their fathers.

leave

Proverbs 13:10 Among the proud there are always contentions: but they that do all things with counsel, are ruled by wisdom.

Proverbs 14:29 He that is patient, is governed with much wisdom: but he that is impatient, exalteth his folly.

Proverbs 15:1 A mild answer breaketh wrath: but a harsh word stirreth up fury.

Proverbs 16:32 The patient man is better than the valiant: and he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh cities.

Proverbs 19:11 The learning of a man is known by patience: and his glory is to pass over wrongs.

Proverbs 20:3 It is an honour for a man to separate himself from quarrels: but all fools are meddling with reproaches.

Proverbs 25:8 The things which thy eyes have seen, utter not hastily in a quarrel: lest afterward thou mayst not be able to make amends, when thou hast dishonoured thy friend.

Genesis 13:8,9 Abram therefore said to Lot: Let there be no quarrel, I beseech thee, between me and thee, and between my herdsmen and thy herdsmen: for we are brethren. . . .

Judges 8:1-3 And the men of Ephraim said to him: What is this that thou meanest to do, that thou wouldst not call us, when thou wentest to fight against Madian? And they chid him sharply, and almost offered violence. . . .

Ecclesiastes 7:8,9 Better is the end of a speech than the beginning. Better is the patient man than the presumptuous. . . .

Matthew 5:39-41 But I say to you not to resist evil: but if one strike thee on thy right cheek, turn to him also the other: . . .

Acts 6:1-5 And in those days, the number of the disciples increasing, there arose a murmuring of the Greeks against the Hebrews, for that their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. . . .

Acts 15:2 And when Paul and Barnabas had no small contest with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of the other side should go up to the apostles and priests to Jerusalem, about this question.

Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as is in you, have peace with all men.

1 Thessalonians 4:11 And that you use your endeavour to be quiet: and that you do your own business and work with your own hands, as we commanded you: and that you walk honestly towards them that are without: and that you want nothing of any man's.

2 Timothy 2:23,24 And avoid foolish and unlearned questions, knowing that they beget strifes. . . .

James 3:14-18 But if you have bitter zeal, and there be contention in your hearts: glory not and be not liars against the truth. . . .