With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.
Two things are here recommended to us, in dealing with others, as likely means to gain our point: - 1. Patience, to bear a present heat without being put into a heat by it, and to wait for a fit opportunity to offer our reasons and to give persons time to consider them.
By long forbearing is a prince persuaded,.... To come into measures, and do that which his council and ministry advise him to, and to which he may seem at first very averse; but by a mild and gentle representation of things, by an humble submission of them to him, and by frequent remonstrances and patient waiting, his mind is softened, bent, and inclined to take...
Gentleness and kindness overcome the most powerful and obstinate. long forbearing--or, "slowness to anger" (Pro 14:29; Pro 15:18).