Proverbs 16:32 (DRB)

Passage

The patient man is better than the valiant: and he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh cities.

Nearby Context

Proverbs 16:30 He that with fixed eyes deviseth wicked things, biting his lips, bringeth evil to pass.

Proverbs 16:31 Old age is a crown of dignity, when it is found in the ways of justice.

Proverbs 16:32 The patient man is better than the valiant: and he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh cities.

Proverbs 16:33 Lots are cast into the lap, but they are disposed of by the Lord.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "Spirit", "patient", "better", "than", "valiant", "ruleth", and "taketh". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "Spirit" and "patient", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 31's "Old age is a crown of dignity..." into verse 33's "Lots are cast into the lap but...", so "Spirit" and "patient" 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 "Spirit" and "patient" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.