| Geneva Study Bible By long {l} forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the {m} bone. (l) By not creating opportunity to provoke him further. (m) That is, the heart that is bent to anger, as in Pr 15:1. Wesley's Notes 25:15 Forbearing - By patient submission and expectation. Breaketh - Softens the hardest heart. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 15. Gentleness and kindness overcome the most powerful and obstinate. long forbearing-or, "slowness to anger" (Pr 14:29; 15:18). Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 25:1-3 God needs not search into any thing; nothing can be hid from him. But it is the honour of rulers to search out matters, to bring to light hidden works of darkness. 4,5. For a prince to suppress vice, and reform his people, is the best way to support his government. 6,7. Religion teaches us humility and self-denial. He who has seen the glory of the Lord in Christ Jesus, will feel his own unworthiness. 8-10. To be hasty in beginning strife, will bring into difficulties. War must at length end, and might better be prevented. It is so in private quarrels; do all thou canst to settle the matter. 11,12. A word of counsel, or reproof, rightly spoken, is especially beautiful, as fine fruit becomes still more beautiful in silver baskets. 13. See what ought to be the aim of him that is trusted with any business; to be faithful. A faithful minister, Christ's messenger, should be thus acceptable to us. 14. He who pretends to have received or given that which he never had, is like the morning cloud, that disappoints those who look for rain. 15. Be patient to bear a present hurt. Be mild to speak without passion; for persuasive language is the most effectual to prevail over the hardened mind. 16. God has given us leave to use grateful things, but we are cautioned against excess. | 
