Get a Longer Fuse

(Proverbs 12:16 KJV)  A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.

I don’t know what translation you use but there are nuances in translation that might be important.  At one extreme we take this word, “wrath” (3808a) as it is translated in the KJV and we see it as “vexation” in the 1977 NASB.  The updated NASB follows the KJV’s lead and uses the simple word “anger”.  The CEV is simplest when it says “Losing your temper”.  The word covers that but this proverb is concerned with more than having a short fuse.

The word can mean grief, indignation or frustration.  It can be many different emotions.  The point is that it is foolish to let it all hang out.  Fools blurt.  You can blurt it out with word, gestures or expressions.  We are to learn to cover up things like this.

Why?  How many times have you lost control but few breaths later realize you misunderstood or deserved what was said?  How often have you wondered why you got so upset?  The point is not to avoid truth but to allow truth time to develop in our limited, emotional minds.

So?  Get a long fuse.  Develop a mask while you think.  There will be plenty of time to express your dissent after you think about it awhile.  It also gives the Holy Spirit time to do some teaching.