“A man of quick temper acts foolishly”: “Quick temper” is literally “short of face” and refers to a person who is easily or quickly angered. Such persons act out of their anger and therefore do foolish things. In some languages quick-tempered people are “people with hot hearts,” “persons with boiling livers,” or “people who fire up quick.”

“But a man of discretion is patient”: Note in the Revised Standard Version footnote that the Hebrew text has “hated” in place of “patient”. This line is literally “and a man of evil plans/devices is hated.” Line 2 does not contrast with line 1; rather, as understood literally, this saying compares the quick-tempered person with the one who makes evil plans. Both kinds of people are discredited. For “man of evil devices” refer to 12.2. The Septuagint drops one Hebrew letter to get a better contrast, as seen in the Revised Standard Version translation of this line. In 1.4 it was pointed out that the word rendered “discretion” has a good sense and refers to wisdom or intelligence. Revised Standard Version and others have interpreted the word in this verse in the same way as in 1.4. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project does not support the Revised Standard Version rendering “man of discretion” but calls him a “calculating man,” that is, someone who plots and schemes. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project also keeps the Hebrew text and sacrifices the contrast between “acts foolishly” and “is patient”. The Hebrew Old Testament Text Project recommendation may be expressed, for example, “The quick-tempered person does foolish things, and the scheming person is hated.” Some other models that are supported by Hebrew Old Testament Text Project are “A quick tempered person commits rash acts, but a schemer is detestable” (New Jerusalem Bible) and “An impatient man commits folly; A man of intrigues will be hated” (New Jewish Publication Society Version).

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 .