“Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.”
Avoiding quarrelsomeness: 'Do not accuse anyone for no reason— when they have done you no harm.' 'Accuse' (lo taqum im adam) means to bring charges, to quarrel. 'For no reason' (hinnam) echoes the senseless violence condemned in chapter 1. The verse teaches restraint: do not create conflict where none has been given. This reflects wisdom's character of peace. The wisdom-seeker builds community through peaceful conduct, refraining from picking quarrels or making false accusations.
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
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