Proverbs 16:32 [He that is] slow to anger [is] better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
Ver. 32. He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty.] Unruly passions are those Turks, saith one, that we must constantly make war with. Those Spaniards, with whom, as another saith, whoever made peace, gained nothing but repentance. Pax erit infida, pax incerta, as Livy a saith of that which the Romans made with the Samnites; a peace worse than war, as Augustine b saith of the peace brought in by Sulla. Men must be at deadly feud with those "lusts that war in their members," Jam 4:1 "fighting against their souls." 1Pe 2:11 These to conquer is the noblest and most signal victory, since in subduing these we overcome the devil, Ephesians 4:26 Jam 4:7 as in yielding to them, we "give place" to him, and entertain him into our very bosoms. Passionate persons, though they be not drunk, yet are not they their own men; but have so many lusts, so many lords, conquering countries, as Alexander, vanquished of vices; or as the Persian kings, who commanded the whole world, but were commanded by their concubines. How much better Valentinian the emperor, who said, upon his deathbed, that among all his victories one only comforted him; and being asked what that was, he answered, I have overcome my worst enemy, mine own naughty heart.
“ Latius regnes, avidum domando
Spiritum, quam si Lybiam remotis
Gadibus iungas, et uterque poenus
Serviat uni. ”
- Horat., Carm., lib. ii.
I cannot better translate it than by Solomon's next words,
He that ruleth his spirit, is better than he that taketh a city.] See this exemplified in Jacob, who did better, when he heard of the rape of Dinah, in "holding his peace," than his sons did in taking and pillaging the city Shechem. Gen 34:5 None was to triumph in Rome that had not gotten five victories. c He shall never triumph in heaven that subdueth not his five senses himself.
a Liv. Hist., lib. ix.
b De Civ. Dei., lib. iii. cap. 28.
c Isidor. Tranq.