What Does Proverbs 14:17 Mean?

This proverb contrasts quick-tempered foolishness with calculated wickedness. "He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly" addresses reactive behavior. Qetsar-appayim ya'aseh ivvelet (קְצַר־אַפַּיִם יַעֲשֶׂה אִוֶּלֶת, short of nostrils does foolishness). Qetsar appayim (literally "short of nose/nostrils") idiomatically means quick-tempered, hot-headed. Such people ya'aseh ivvelet (יַעֲשֶׂה אִוֶּלֶת, do foolishness)—act stupidly in anger.

"And a man of wicked devices is hated" warns against calculated evil. Ve'ish mezimmot yissane (וְאִישׁ מְזִמּוֹת יִשָּׂנֵא, and a man of schemes is hated). Mezimmah (מְזִמָּה, scheme, plan, device) describes deliberate, thought-out wickedness. Such people incur hatred—from God and others.

The proverb addresses two types of wrongdoing: reactive foolishness and premeditated wickedness. Both are condemned, but differently. Quick anger produces impulsive stupidity—words and actions regretted later. James 1:19-20 warns: "Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God." Calculated evil is worse—deliberately planned wickedness. Proverbs 6:16-18 lists those who "devise wicked imaginations" among seven abominations. Jesus addressed anger's sinfulness (Matthew 5:22) and Satan's schemes (Ephesians 6:11). Christians must cultivate self-control (Galatians 5:22-23) and reject both reactive anger and premeditated evil.