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Spiritual and Physical Advantages of Controlling Your Anger

Proverbs 14:29 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
²⁹Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding,
but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding: The Hebrew is literally “long of nose, much understanding.” Of course, it is self-explanatory, in that it is one who does not get angry quickly. The Hebrew (אַף aph) rendered slow to anger is also the word for nose or nostril and is frequently used figuratively for anger. Because of the violent breathing or snorting when someone is deeply enraged. It is also used when referring to God’s actions because of his anger (Ps. 18:8, 15; Eze. 38:18), related to (אַף aph) is (אָנַף anaph) referring to being “incensed.” Understanding (תְּבוּנָה tebunah) is the ability to see how the parts or aspects of something are connected to one another. One who possesses understanding can see the big picture (the entire matter) and not just the isolated facts. – Prov. 2:5; 9:10; 18:15.

but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly: Here a hasty temper (קָצֵר qatser) is literally “short spirit.” It refers to one who is quick-tempered, hot-tempered. In other words, it applies to being angry with fairly little provocation. Foolishness; Folly: (אִוֶּלֶת ivveleth) The foolishness of the foolish one, who has the trait of acting stupidly or rashly because he is devoid of wisdom or understanding, the Hebrew noun focusing on the evil behaviors which occur in this state.

The humble and gentle-minded person is slow to anger because he makes allowances for human imperfections in others and self. He knows that all of us are mentally bent toward evil (Gen. 6:5; 8:21), with a treacherous heart (Jer. 17:9), and a natural desire to do bad (Rom. 7). Therefore, he excuses the faults of others and his own. He sets aside any dislikes of others and suspends offenses that have been done to him, not needlessly to be provoked. Of course, these are minor offenses that, once forgiven, must be forgotten as though they never happened. It is different with more serious transgressions, and it is up to the genuine repentance of the offender. A man who is slow to anger is really an intelligent man, who is Christlike, who is biblically minded, who has found the wisdom of God.

Unrestrained desires are folly asserted: He who is hasty of spirit, whose heart (mind) is kindling to every spark of provocation that blazes into uncontrollable wrath. He is great in his own mind. He loves to make known his self-importance as he rants and raves over the tiniest matters, thinking that others are awed by him. However, what he has really done is to exalt his own folly. He thinks his distorted thoughts made known to all make him look impressive before all, but this is a case of acting stupidly or rashly because he is devoid of wisdom or understanding.