A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.
A fool's wrath is presently (Hebrew, in that very day; Hosea 4:5 ) known: but a prudent man covereth shame - namely, the shame or insult put upon him by others. "Covereth," with the mantle of patience and charity, instead of exasperating himself, and losing self-control like "a fool," by dwelling on the indignity of the word or deed, and the worthlessness of the injurer. He did not publish the act, to the discredit of the other, but consults for the reputation of the other lest he should add sin to the injury suffered.