Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
Only by pride cometh contention. The "only" is joined by Maurer, Castalio, etc., not to "pride," which immediately follows, but to "cometh contention" - literally, will one give contention. Pride only causeth contention. There only cometh contention by pride. Pride conduces to nothing else than to stir up the proud to contention. It aggravates the sin of contentions so caused, that they arise, not from sudden anger or provocation, but from mere pride. The proud have not the "wisdom" to take 'advice' from others (the parallel clause supplies these words and ideas); so, in conversation with others, they "contend" with all who do not yield to them. The English version, however, joining "only" with the Hebrew word next in order, gives the more likely connection. If it were not for pride there would be no contention, but pride prevents either party confessing himself to be in the wrong; so the strife is begun and continued.
But with the well advised is wisdom. In Proverbs 11:2 it is "with the lowly is wisdom." The "well advised" are those who through lowliness are not too proud to take advice, or to yield to the superior opinion of another. As the "well advised" are opposed to "pride" - i:e., the proud-so "wisdom" is opposed to "contention." For "the wisdom that is from above" is not only "pure," but also "peaceable, gently, and easy to be entreated" (James 3:17). "Wisdom" is the cause of "lowliness."