slow to anger

The phrase that is typically translated in English as “slow to anger” is rendered in Bawm with the idiom “be of a long mind” (source: David Clark) and in Akan as “his chest is slow to grow weed” (see anger) (source: Gladys Nyarko Ansah in Kövecses / Benczes / Szelid 2024, p. 21ff.).

anger

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The Hebrew, Latin and Greek that is translated as “anger” or similar in English in this verse is translated with a variety of solutions (Bratcher / Nida says: “Since anger has so many manifestations and seems to affect so many aspects of personality, it is not strange that expressions used to describe this emotional response are so varied”).

  • Chicahuaxtla Triqui: “be warm inside”
  • Mende: “have a cut heart”
  • Mískito: “have a split heart”
  • Tzotzil: “have a hot heart”
  • Mossi: “a swollen heart”
  • Western Kanjobal: “fire of the viscera”
  • San Blas Kuna: “pain in the heart”
  • Chimborazo Highland Quichua: “not with good eye”
  • Chichewa: “have a burning heart” (source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation) (see also anger burned in him)
  • Citak: two different terms, one meaning “angry” and one meaning “offended,” both are actually descriptions of facial expressions. The former can be represented by an angry stretching of the eyes or by an angry frown. The latter is similarly expressed by an offended type of frown with one’s head lowered. (Source: Graham Ogden)

In Akan, a number of metaphors are used, most importantly abufuo, lit. “weedy chest” (the chest is seen as a container that contains the heart but can also metaphorically be filled with other fluids etc.), but also abufuhyeε lit. “hot/burning weedy chest” and anibereε, lit. “reddened eyes.” (Source: Gladys Nyarko Ansah in Kövecses / Benczes / Szelid 2024, p. 21ff.)

See also God’s anger and angry.

Translation commentary on Proverbs 19:11

Verses 11-12 share the theme of anger.

“Good sense makes a man slow to anger”: “Good sense” renders the same word as used in 13.15. It refers to “sound judgment” or “intelligence.” For a similar statement see 14.29. A person who is “slow to anger” is in control of his emotions. Contemporary English Version says “It’s wise to be patient.”

“And it” “is his glory to overlook an offense”: This line is similar in meaning to 14.17b. “His glory” translates the same word used in 16.31 and 17.6. In this verse “glory” refers to “honor,” “respect,” or “greatness.” “To overlook an offense” is literally “to pass over an offense,” that is, “to pay no attention,” “to ignore or forgive an offense.” For “offense” see 10.12. For a model translation expressed in the second person, see Good News Translation.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

complete verse (Proverbs 19:11)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 19:11:

  • Kupsabiny: “A wise person is patient/endures things,
    and the one who does not tie things in his stomach (bears a grudge) is praised.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “People who are wise will suppress their anger.
    And it is their great virtue to close their eyes
    even to matters that make their hearts ache.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “If you (sing.) are patient, just shows that you (sing.) are wise. And if you (sing.) forgive the one who has-sinned against you (sing.), it can-give honor to you (sing.).” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “If you (sing.) are wise, restrain your (sing.) anger. It-is-the-cause-of-your(sing.)-being-praised if you (sing.) cause-to-be-passed-over the mistakes of your (sing.) companion.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • English: “Those who have good sense do not quickly become angry;
    people respect those who ignore offensive things that people say to them.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 19:11

19:11

11a A man’s insight gives him patience,

11b and his virtue is to overlook an offense.

These parallel lines describe the close connection between a person’s wisdom and his ability to be patient with someone who has offended him. When he overlooks an offense, people consider it to be a virtue that deserves praise or respect.

19:11a

A man’s insight gives him patience: There are two main ways to express the specific relationship between a person’s wisdom and his patience:

• A person’s wisdom gives him patience. His patience is a result of his wisdom. For example:

Good sense makes one slow to anger (English Standard Version)
-or-
A person’s insight causes him to be patient

• A person who is wise is patient. For example:

Those with good sense are slow to anger (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
A person with good sense is patient (God’s Word)
-or-
If you are sensible, you will control your temper. (Good News Translation)

You may follow either of these options. There is little practical difference between them.

insight: The Hebrew word śekel, which the Berean Standard Bible translates here as insight, refers to a person’s good sense, prudence, or wisdom.

gives him patience: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “makes long his anger.” The phrase here indicates that a sensible person does not react quickly in anger. His good sense enables him to restrain or control his anger and to be patient. The phrase does not mean that a wise person holds a grudge or remains angry for a long time.

19:11b

and his virtue is to overlook an offense: In Hebrew, this line is literally “and his glory ⌊is⌋ to pass over a transgression.” There are three ways to interpret the meaning of his virtue and its connection with overlooking an offense:

(1) “His glory” means “the reason/basis for his receiving honor.” A wise person is honored or praised by other people because he overlooks an offense. For example:

To overlook an offence brings glory. (Revised English Bible)
-or-
they earn respect by overlooking wrongs (New Living Translation (2004))

(2) “His glory” means “his praiseworthy character.” One of the virtues of a wise person is that he overlooks an offense. For example:

When someone wrongs you, it is a great virtue to ignore it. (Good News Translation)

(3) “His glory” means “he considers it an honor ” or “he takes pride” in overlooking an offense. For example:

Good sense makes…for pride in overlooking an offence. (New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretations (1) or (2). These interpretations are more consistent with descriptions of a sensible person elsewhere in Proverbs. The Display follows interpretation (1).

to overlook an offense: The verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to overlook often means “to pass by” or “to pass over.” Here it is used figuratively. It means “ignore,” “overlook,” or “forgive.” The noun offense refers here to a deliberate crime or wrong deed. This offense was probably committed against the wise person.

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