Proverbs 17:9

9 One who forgives an affront fosters friendship, but one who dwells on disputes will alienate a friend.

Proverbs 17:9 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 17:9

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love
He that hides the transgression of another, or of his friend, committed against himself or against another, which he is privy to; but the matter being made up, and the offence forgiven, he forgets it, and no more speaks of it to his friend, or upbraids him with it, nor spreads it among others: such a man shows that he loves his friend, and is desirous that love and friendship should be continued; and this is the way to continue it; and a man that thus seeks it finds it. Or it may be rendered, "he covereth a transgression who seeketh love" ^F9; for "love covereth all things", ( Proverbs 10:12 ) ; but he that repeateth a matter;
the matter of the transgression, the thing that has given the offence; that rakes it up again, when it has been covered; upbraids his friend with it, when it has been passed over and forgiven; will frequently hit him on the teeth with it, and talk of it wherever he comes, and spread the knowledge of it in all places: he separateth [very] friends;
he sets the best of friends at variance one with another by such a practice; for this pursued, friendship cannot subsist long among men: he separates his best friend from himself, and himself from him. The word signifies a prince, leader, or governor; (See Gill on Proverbs 16:28); and Jarchi interprets it thus;

``he separates from himself the Governor of the world, the holy blessed God.''

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FOOTNOTES:

F9 So Cocceius.

Proverbs 17:9 In-Context

7 Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a ruler.

8 A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of those who give it; wherever they turn they prosper.

9 One who forgives an affront fosters friendship, but one who dwells on disputes will alienate a friend.

10 A rebuke strikes deeper into a discerning person than a hundred blows into a fool.

11 Evil people seek only rebellion, but a cruel messenger will be sent against them.