A fool always loses his temper,
but a wise man holds it back.

Proverbs 29:11

I wondered what was the Hebrew word for ‘always’ because I’ve been taught that it is best not to use such sweeping terms in my writing or speech. Things like “You always put the dish soap in the wrong place.” Or “You never hang up your jacket.” Or “No cares about you!” Or “Every time you open the milk, you spill it.” I’ve been guided against these kinds of across-the-board words because I cannot possibly know that something always happens or never happens, etc…

But, God does know all! And when He says “all” or “always” or “every” or “never”, etc…that is exactly what he means!

In Hebrew, the word is koi [H3605] is defined as: all, the whole, the whole of, any, each, every, anything, totality, everything, always, and the negatives counterparts of these words; never, nothing, none, etc…

Isaiah 64:6

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. [KJV] [Bold is mine]

Ecclesiastes 5:15

As he had come naked from his mother’s womb, so will he return as he came. He will take nothing from the fruit of his labor that he can carry in his hand. [Bold is mine]

So, when God says, “A fool always loses his temper…” OR “Reveals all his mind…”

God means always and all! 

Other translations use the English phrase “gives full vent” which is a very modern phrase not used until recent decades. But it conveys the same principle; fools do not have a stop gap mechanism when it comes to speaking their minds and most often when they are angry and they are often angry. It is not a sin to be angry, especially about unrighteousness. But it is a sin to lose our temper and let that temper spill out all over the place. Think adult temper tantrum.

Colossians 3:8

But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.

James 1:19-20

This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.

Ephesians 4:26-27

BE ANGRY, AND DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity.

I would say our foolish human race continues to give the devil plenty of opportunities to spread his lies and chaos. So let’s do our part and keep temper tantrums out of our life box!