Proverbs 21:14 (BSB)

A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.

From Proverbs 21. Also in the ESV.

Commentary on Proverbs 21:14

• Matthew Henry (Presbyterian), Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on Proverbs 21:14: Here is, 1. The power that is commonly found to be in gifts. Nothing is more violent than anger. O the force of strong wrath! And yet a handsome present, prudently managed, will turn away some men's wrath when it seemed implacable, and disarm the keenest and most passionate resentments. Covetousness is commonly a master-sin and has the command of other lusts. Pecuniae obediunt omnia - Money commands all things.
• John Gill (Reformed Baptist), Exposition of the Old and New Testaments on Proverbs 21:14: A gift in secret pacifieth anger,.... Appeases an angry man; humbles and "brings his anger down" (y), as Aben Ezra and Gersom observe the word signifies; which before rose very high, and showed itself in big words and disdainful looks, as proud wrath does; or extinguishes it, as the Targum and Vulgate Latin version render it, and very fitly.
• Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (Reformed), Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible on Proverbs 21:14: The effect of bribery (Pro 17:23) is enhanced by secrecy, as the bribed person does not wish his motives made known.
• Geneva Bible Notes (Reformed), Geneva Bible Study Notes on Proverbs 21:14: A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath. (g) To do a pleasure to the angry man pacifies him.