Proverbs 18:17
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The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
This shows that one tale is good till another is told. 1. He that speaks first will be sure to tell a straight story, and relate that only which makes for him, and put the best colour he can upon it, so that his cause shall appear good, whether it really be so or no. 2. The plaintiff having done his evidence, it is fit that the defendant should be heard, should have leave to confront the witnesses and cross-examine them, and show the falsehood and fallacy of what has been alleged, which perhaps may make the matter appear quite otherwise than it did. We must therefore remember that we have two ears, to hear both sides before we give judgment.
Open source ↗18:17 It is important to hear both sides of a dispute. Only fools jump to conclusions and rush to judgment; the wise take time to discern.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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