Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.
1. That which is here condemned is meddling with strife that belongs not to us. If we must not be hasty to strive in our own cause (Pro 25:8), much less in other people's, especially theirs that we are no way related to or concerned in, but light on accidentally as we pass by.
He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him,.... One that going along the streets, and passing by the door, where two or more persons are quarrelling, and he thrusts himself in and intermeddles in the affair he has no concern in; and interests himself in the cause of the quarrel he has nothing to do with, on account of acquaintance, relation...
meddleth--as in Pro 20:19; Pro 24:21; as either holding a dog by the ears or letting him go involves danger, so success in another man's strife or failure involves a useless risk of reputation, does no good, and may do us harm.