“Qui dimittit aquam caput est jurgiorum, et antequam patiatur contumeliam judicium deserit.”
“The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.”
“To start a quarrel is to release a flood; so abandon the dispute before it breaks out.”
“The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.”
“The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.”
Water. It is scarcely possible to prevent the bad effects of detraction. Frequent quarrels have also risen on account of springs, Genesis xxvi. 20. — Judgment. And gives up the cause, as being much more prudent, Matthew v. 25, 40.
Two things are here represented as very absurd: 1. That men of no repute should be dictators. What can be more unbecoming than for fools, who are known to have little sense and discretion, to pretend to that which is above them and which they were never cut out for? A fool, in Solomon's proverbs, signifies a wicked man, whom excellent speech does not become, because his conversation gives the lie to his excellent speech. What have those to do to declare God's statutes who hate instruction? Ps 50 16. Christ would not suffer the unclean spirits to say that they knew him to be the Son of God. See Acts 16 17, 18. 2. That men of great repute should be deceivers. If it is unbecoming a despicable man to presume to speak as a philosopher or politician, and nobody heeds him, being prejudiced against his character, much more unbecoming is it for a prince, for a man of honour, to take advantage from his character and the confidence that is put in him to lie, and dissemble, and make no conscience of breaking his word. Lying ill becomes any man, but worst a prince, so corrupt is the modern policy, which insinuates that princes ought not to make themselves slaves to their words further than is for their interest, and Qui nescit dissimulare nescit regnare—He who knows not how to dissemble knows not how to reign.
“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.”