Proverbs 26:17

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He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

– Proverbs 26:17

[T]he next three verses are loosely connected. This verse speaks of the meddler, or busybody. We would say he sticks his nose in other people’s business. The saying has more force once we realize dogs were not domesticated pets in those days, but wild and dangerous animals. Grabbing a wild dog by the ears is just not going to end well and you are very likely to get hurt. It is an apt depiction of the trouble the meddler makes for himself for no reason. Proverbs elsewhere labels the meddler a fool (Proverbs 18:6) and honors the wise who avoid unnecessary strife (Proverbs 20:3).

 


 

 

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