John Trapp on Proverbs 17:14

Verſ. 14. The beginning of ſtrife is as when one lets out water] It is eaſier to ſtir ſtrife than ſtint it. Lis litem generat: As water, it is of a ſpreading nature. Do therefore here, as the Dutch-men do by their banks; they keep them with little coſt and trouble, becauſe they look narrowly to them, and make them up in time. If there bee but the leaſt breach, they ſtop it preſently, otherwiſe the Sea would ſoon overflow them.

Fertur in arva furens cumulo,Virgil. Aneid. 2. campoſque per omnes Cum ſtabulis armenta trahit.

The ſame may fitly bee ſet forth alſo by a ſimilitude from fire; which if quenched preſently, little hurt is done; As if not, behold how great a wood a little fire kindleth, James 3.5. ſaith Saint James. If fire break out but of a bramble, it will devour the Cedars of Lebanon, Judg. 9.15. Cover therefore the fire of contention, as William the Conquerour commanded the Coverfeu-bell.

Therefore leave off contention before it bee medled with] Antequam commiſceatur. Stop or ſtep back, before it come to further trouble. Satius eſt recurrere quam malè currere, better retire than run on, in thoſe ignoble quarrels eſpecially, ubi & vincere inglorium eſt & atteri ſordidum, wherein, whether hee win or loſe, hee is ſure to loſe in his credit and comfort. Wee read of Francis the firſt King of France, that conſulting with his Captains how to lead his Army over the Alps into Italy, whether this way or that way? Amaril his fool ſprang out of a corner, where hee ſate unſeen, and bad them rather take care which way they ſhould bring their Army out of Italy again. It is eaſie for one to intereſt himſelf in quarrels, but hard to bee diſ-ingaged from them, when hee is once in. Therefore Principiis obſta, withſtand the beginnings of theſe evils, and ſtudy to bee quiet, 1 Theſ. 4.11. Milk quencheth wild-fire. Oyl (ſaith Luther) quencheth lime; ſo doth meekneſſe ſtrife.