Pro 25:10 | KingComments | STEP | One should not be eager to argue his case, lest he be publicly humiliated ( ). You may have seen or heard something, of which you think it is a reason to hastily argue a case, but remember that it is risky to do so. For if it turns out that you have misjudged, you will be openly humiliated by the person who has been accused by you. It may even lead to your bankruptcy. It is a warning to be careful about arguing a case without sufficient evidence. It may happen that someone sues another person to gain financially. He then reveals details of something the other person is alleged to have done. However, if it turns out that it is not true, or if the evidence is too flimsy, he will himself be made to look like a fool and pay the costs of the trial. There have been many such scandal trials. If a person has a case with another, the best thing that can happen is to keep it in private ( ; ). This prevents public humiliation. The idea is that a person will be shamed and forever have a bad reputation if he reveals to others in an argument with his neighbor what has been entrusted to him in secret ( ). There will never be success in an argument if that success comes at the expense of someone’s integrity or pain. Therefore, never reveal secrets in an argument for the purpose to cleanse yourself from blame.

‏ Proverbs 25:10

Advice for Arguing Your Case

One should not be eager to argue his case, lest he be publicly humiliated (Pro 25:8). You may have seen or heard something, of which you think it is a reason to hastily argue a case, but remember that it is risky to do so. For if it turns out that you have misjudged, you will be openly humiliated by the person who has been accused by you. It may even lead to your bankruptcy.

It is a warning to be careful about arguing a case without sufficient evidence. It may happen that someone sues another person to gain financially. He then reveals details of something the other person is alleged to have done. However, if it turns out that it is not true, or if the evidence is too flimsy, he will himself be made to look like a fool and pay the costs of the trial. There have been many such scandal trials.

If a person has a case with another, the best thing that can happen is to keep it in private (Pro 25:9; Mt 18:15b). This prevents public humiliation. The idea is that a person will be shamed and forever have a bad reputation if he reveals to others in an argument with his neighbor what has been entrusted to him in secret (Pro 25:10). There will never be success in an argument if that success comes at the expense of someone’s integrity or pain. Therefore, never reveal secrets in an argument for the purpose to cleanse yourself from blame.