Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.

PROVERBS 25:8KJV
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Proverbs 25:8 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 25:8 mean?

Proverbs 25:8 warns against rushing into arguments or disputes, because acting too quickly can leave you embarrassed if your neighbor exposes your mistake or proves you wrong. The verse encourages careful thought before getting involved in conflicts, especially public ones.

This proverb is part of a collection of wise sayings attributed to Solomon, directed to anyone seeking practical wisdom for daily life. The setting imagines a situation where someone feels wronged or eager to defend themselves, but the advice is to pause and consider the consequences before taking action. Proverbs 25:8 highlights the risk of acting impulsively, especially when relationships and reputation are at stake.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 25:8

  • "forth" (יָצָא, yatsa) means to go out or proceed. Here, it suggests stepping forward to take action, especially in a public or confrontational way.
  • "hastily" (מַהֵר, maher) means quickly or without delay. The warning is against acting with speed before considering the outcome.
  • "strive" (רִיב, riv) refers to entering into a dispute or legal argument. This word often carries the sense of a formal quarrel or lawsuit, not just a casual disagreement.
  • "shame" (כָּלַם, kalam) means to be disgraced or humiliated. The verse points out that rushing into conflict can end with personal embarrassment if the other person turns the situation against you.

Why Proverbs 25:8 matters

  • Proverbs 25:8 clarifies that not every perceived wrong needs an immediate or public response; sometimes patience protects you from greater harm.
  • The verse emphasizes the importance of thinking ahead and considering the possible outcomes before taking sides in a dispute.
  • In the wider context of Proverbs, this advice fits with the theme of wisdom as careful, thoughtful living rather than impulsive action.

Where else these words appear

“hastily” Hebrew H4118 · used in 17 verses

  • Exodus 32:8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
  • Deuteronomy 9:12 And the LORD said unto me, Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt have corrupted themselves; they are quickly turned aside out of the way which I commanded them; they have made them a molten image.
  • Judges 2:23 Therefore the LORD left those nations, without driving them out hastily; neither delivered he them into the hand of Joshua.

“shame” Hebrew H3637 · used in 38 verses

  • Numbers 12:14 And the LORD said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again.
  • Job 19:3 These ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed that ye make yourselves strange to me.
  • Isaiah 54:4 Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.

“strive” Hebrew H7378 · used in 59 verses

  • Genesis 26:20 And the herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac's herdmen, saying, The water is ours: and he called the name of the well Esek; because they strove with him.
  • Nehemiah 13:11 Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.
  • Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

“end” Hebrew H319 · used in 60 verses

  • Genesis 49:1 And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.
  • Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
  • Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.