Proverbs 20:3  It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling. 

True wisdom and honour are shown in avoiding unnecessary conflict. Ceasing from strife does not mean weakness, but self-control, humility, and discernment. Strife often leads to harm, division, and wasted energy. Choosing peace preserves dignity and relationships.

Three Biblical examples of ceasing from strife: Abraham (Gen. 13:7-9) – Lot and his herdsmen conflicted over grazing land. Abraham graciously yielded to Lot to maintain peace. Isaac (Gen. 26:12-30) – Isaac faced disputes over wells with the Philistines. Rather than fighting, he moved and renamed wells, maintaining peace and trusting God. David (1Sam 25:32-34) – David restrained himself from vengeance against Nabal, honouring God’s timing and mercy, choosing peace over immediate retaliation.

Ceasing from strife is an act of wisdom, trust in God, and moral strength, not cowardice. Honour and wisdom are displayed when one avoids strife and exercises self-restraint.

‘Every fool’ – Hebrew: ’eviyl, one who is morally deficient, thoughtless, or spiritually naive. Foolishness is characterised by rashness, lack of understanding, and pride. The fool cannot restrain himself from entering disputes, even when it is unwise.

‘Meddling’ -Hebrew: gala‛ literally “breaking forth” or interfering where one should not. Meddling refers to provoking quarrels, escalating conflicts, or intruding unnecessarily.

Scripture states that the beginning of strife is like letting out water; therefore, restrain contention before it breaks out (17:14) and that the discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression” (19:11).

Restrain impulses to argue or retaliate. Seek peace, even when it costs personal pride. Trust God to vindicate justice rather than taking matters into your own hands.