Some Thoughts From Proverbs 19

Proverbs 19:11

Good sense makes one slow to anger,
    and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

This is the essence of the Proverbs attitude toward emotional outburst, and anger in particular. In this verse the writer is again concerned with retaliation. But it is a response engendered by an outburst of anger.  “Anger is controlled by "good sense.”  This is nothing less than behavior that is informed by God's law.

In both the Beatitudes and I Cor. 13, the believer is seen in a right relationship with his neighbor. I Cor 13: 4 describes the opposite of the anger here in 19:11.

I Cor. 13:4

 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude

The fruit of this ''good sense is the glory" of the patient, kind, person. This person passes by an offense. The offense is neither taken up nor leaves the offended resentful.

The ability to "overlook'' and leave resentment to others is a blessing far too seldom appreciated.