He that passeth by, [and] meddleth with strife [belonging] not to him, [is like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.
Ver. 17. He that passeth by and meddleth, &c.] Two kind of studies have I always hated, saith one: Studium partium, et studium novarum forum. Study of parts, and study of new markets. They that enter strife without calling, saith another, do commonly hazard themselves into trouble without comfort. This was Jehoshaphat's folly at Jabeshgilead, and, as some think, Josiah's when he went up against Pharaohnecho, thinking thereby to ingratiate with the Assyrian, Pharaoh's professed enemy. It is from idleness usually that men are thus busy in other men's matters without thank or other benefit, 1 Timothy 5:13 1Th 4:11 and therefore this proverb fitly follows the former. Howbeit this is not always true, for charity may move men to interpose for a right understanding and a good accord between disagreeing parties. Neither in this case must a man affect to be held no meddler, since "blessed are the peace makers." And though it be for most part a thankless office - for if a man have two friends he oft loseth one of them - yet our reward is with God; and if, by seeking to part the scuffle, we derive some blows upon ourselves, yet the Euge of a good conscience will salve that well enough. That which is here forbidden is for a man to make himself a party, and maintain one side against another. And yet where it is for God and his truth this may be done too; as when Queen Elizabeth not only sat as umpire between the Spaniard, French, and Hollanders a - so as she might well have taken up that saying of her father, Cui adhaereo, praeest, He whom I side with carries it - but afterwards, when she saw her time, undertook the protection of the Netherlanders against the Spaniard, wherein all princes admired her fortitude, and the King of Sweden said that she had now taken the diadem from her head, and set it upon the doubtful chance of war. This was done Anno 1585. b
Is like else that taketh a dog by the ears.] Where he loves not to be handled, but about the neck rather. The Dutch have a like proverb, - To take a dog by the tail. The Greeks, - To take a lion by the beard, or a bear by the tooth - to thrust one's hand into a wasp's nest - to stir up a scorpion, &c. c
a Camden's Elizab., 196.
b Ibid.
c τον λεοντα ξυραθαι. σφηκας ερεθιζειν