[He that is] slow to wrath [is] of great understanding,.... Or "long in wrath" e; it is long before he is angry; he is longsuffering, bears much and long, is very patient; such an one appears to understand himself and human nature, and has a great command over his passions; which shows him to be a man of great wisdom and understanding;
but [he that is] hasty of spirit exalteth folly; or is "short of spirit" f; is soon angry; presently discovers resentment in his words, looks, and gestures; such an one "exalts folly", prefers it to wisdom, sets it above himself, and makes it his master: or he "lifts" it g up; exposes his folly to public view, so that it is seen of all men to his disgrace.
e ארך אפים "longus iris", Vatablus; "longus naribus", Montanus; "longus narium", Schultens. f קצר רוח "brevis spiritu", Montanus, Vatblus. Cocceius, Merceus, Michaelis; "curtus spiritu", Schultens. g מרום "attollit", Mercerus, Piscator; "alte proclamat", Schultens; "elevat", Baynus.