Proverbs 16:14 (ASV)

Passage

The wrath of a king is [as] messengers of death; But a wise man will pacify it.

Nearby Context

Proverbs 16:12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; For the throne is established by righteousness.

Proverbs 16:13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings; And they love him that speaketh right.

Proverbs 16:14 The wrath of a king is [as] messengers of death; But a wise man will pacify it.

Proverbs 16:15 In the light of the king`s countenance is life; And his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain.

Proverbs 16:16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! Yea, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "wrath", "king", "messengers", "death", "wise", and "pacify". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "wrath" and "king", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 13's "Righteous lips are the delight of kings..." into verse 15's "In the light of the king s...", so "wrath" and "king" belong inside that flow. In Proverbs context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "wrath" and "king" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.