Translation commentary on Proverbs 17:27

Good News Translation has combined verses 27-28 into one paragraph because of their common theme.

“He who restrains his words has knowledge”: “Restrains his words” is similar to “restrains his lips” in 10.19 and means to control speech, to limit what you say, to be a person of few words. “Has knowledge” is literally “knows knowledge” and refers to a person who is experienced and mature and has good judgment. Bible en français courant says “An experienced person avoids talking too much,” and Biblia Dios Habla Hoy has “It is the way of the wise to speak little.”

“And he who has a cool spirit” “is a man of understanding”: “He who has a cool spirit” refers to a person of self-control or moderation. Such a person is not given to fits of excitement that burst forth in senseless talk. Good News Translation calls them “people who stay calm.” “A man of understanding”, as in 10.23, is a wise person. We may translate this saying, for example, “The mature person does not talk too much, and the person with self-control is wise.”

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 17:27)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 17:27:

  • Kupsabiny: “The words of a wise person are prepared/considered
    and an understanding person is gentle/friendly.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Those who are wise do not talk too much,
    People with insight do not get angry.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “A wise man and has understanding is not talkative/great-talker and is does- not -act-quickly.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “A person who is able-to-restrain his anger and speaks circumspectly/carefully is wise.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • English: “Those who have good sense do not talk a lot,
    and those who control their tempers/keep themselves from becoming very angry are truly wise.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 17:27

17:27

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

27a
A man of knowledge restrains his words,

27b and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit.

The underlined parallel parts refer to a type of person who is both knowledgeable and understanding. Both lines stress the value of self-control. The context is probably one in which a person might be tempted to speak angrily and lose his temper. The first line focuses on restraining one’s words. The second line speaks more generally of controlling one’s emotions.

In both lines, the order of the parallel parts can be reversed. For example:

27a
He who restrains his words has knowledge,

27b and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. (Revised Standard Version)

You may use whatever order is more natural in your language.

17:27a

A man of knowledge: In Hebrew, this phrase refers to a person who knows how to conduct himself wisely. It implies that he is experienced or mature. It does not mean only that he knows a lot of information. Some other ways to express the meaning of this phrase are:

is knowledgeable (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
The truly wise person (NET Bible)

restrains his words: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “⌊one who⌋ restrains his words.” It refers to a person who limits or holds back potentially harmful words. He controls what he says and chooses his words carefully. This phrase may also imply that he does not talk too much, but that is not the primary emphasis. Another way to translate this phrase is:

controls his words (God’s Word)

This phrase is similar to the phrase “restrains his lips” in 10:19b. See the note there.

17:27b

and a man of understanding: This phrase refers to a person who has the good sense or ability to take appropriate action.

maintains a calm spirit: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as calm spirit is more literally “cool in spirit,” as in the New Revised Standard Version. It refers to someone who controls his emotions and remains calm. Some languages may be able to use an idiom that is similar to the New Revised Standard Version. For example:

keeps a cool head (Revised English Bible)

A way to translate the meaning without using a figurative expression is:

stays calm (NET Bible)

General Comment on 17:27a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder the parallel parts. See 17:27a–b (combined/reordered) in the Display.

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