John Trapp on Proverbs 25:15

Verſ. 15. By long forbearing is a Prince perſwaded] If he be not over-haſty, his wrath may be appeaſed, and his mind altered. Our Henry the third gave commandment for the apprehending of Hubert de Burgo, Earl of Kent: who having ſudden notice thereof at mid-night, got him up and fled into a Church in Eſſex. They to whom the buſineſs was committed, finding him upon his knees before the high-altar, with the Sacrament in one hand, and a croſs in the other, carried him away nevertheleſs unto the Tower of London. Roger Biſhop of London taking this to be a great violence, and wrong offered unto the holy Church, Godw. Catal. pag. 194. would never leave the King untill he had cauſed the Earl to be carried unto the place whence he was fetcht. And this it is thought, was a means of ſaving the Earls life. For though order was taken he ſhould not ſcape thence, yet it gave the Kings wrath a time to cool, and himſelf leiſure to make his Apology: by reaſon whereof, he was afterwards reſtored to the Kings favour, and former places of honour. So true is that of the Philoſopher, Maximum irae remediumeſt dilatio; Sen. de ira. And that of the Poet.

Ovid.Ut fragilis glacies, interit ira morâ.

There are that read and ſenſe the words thus: By meekneſs a Prince is appeaſed, that is, when he ſeeth that he is not oppoſed, that his Subjects repine not, rebell not againſt him. An old Courtier of Nero's being asked how he had eſcaped that Lions mouth? anſwered, Injurias ferendo, & gratias agendo, by taking ſhrewd turns, and being thankfull.

A ſoft tongue breaketh the bones] Though it be fleſh and no bones, yet it breaketh the bones: that is, ſtout and ſtern ſpirits, that otherwiſe would not yeeld. Thus Gideon broke the rage of the Ephraimites, Judg. 8.1. &c. and Abigail Davids, by her humble and dutifull oration, 1 Sam. 25. See the Note on Prov. 15.1.