Proverbs 17:27 (BSB)

A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit.

From Proverbs 17. Also in the ESV.

Commentary on Proverbs 17:27

• Matthew Henry (Presbyterian), Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on Proverbs 17:27-28: Two ways a man may show himself to be a wise man: - 1. By the good temper, the sweetness and the sedateness, of his mind: A man of understanding is of an excellent spirit, a precious spirit (so the word is); he is one that looks well to his spirit, that it be as it should be, and so keeps it in an even...
• John Gill (Reformed Baptist), Exposition of the Old and New Testaments on Proverbs 17:27: He that hath knowledge spareth his words,.... Or, "he that knows knowledge" (c); one that is very knowing, has a fund of knowledge in him, "spareth his words"; is generally a man of few words, he thinks much and says little; and though he may be communicative of his knowledge to proper persons, and at proper times, yet never speaks of it in a boasting...
• Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (Reformed), Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible on Proverbs 17:27: Prudence of speech is commended as is an excellent or calm spirit, not excited to vain conversation. Next: Proverbs Chapter 18
• Keil & Delitzsch (Lutheran), Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament on Proverbs 17:27: Pro 17:27 27 He that keepeth his words to himself hath knowledge, And the cool of temper is a man of understanding. The first line here is a variation of Pro 10:19. The phrase ידע דּעת (here and at Dan 1:4) means to possess knowledge (novisse); more frequently it is בּינה ידע, e.g., Pro 4:1, where ידע has the inchoative sense of noscere. In 27b the Kerı̂ is יקר־רוח.