Two Wrongs Do Not Make One Right

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
TWO WRONGS DO NOT MAKE ONE RIGHT
Prov 14:17
17 A quick-tempered man does foolish things,
and a crafty man is hated.
NIV
No comparisons here between a believer and a non-believer, or the righteous and the wicked, or how ever else God makes the distinction. This is all about people who either have no control over their emotions or people who manipulate the emotions of others. What good is it to allow your emotions to run wild and say things which are either hurtful to others or do things which harm both others and self in the long run? If people did not consider the consequences of their behavior it is a foolish thing. Why would someone just act without thinking first? It would appear the reason is mainly due to a self-centered position. If others say or act in a manner which casts some critical or innuendo, an indirect intimation, about this person it is usually is met with a quick-tempered response. I would ever suspect that this crafty man is the one casting disparaging or derogatory comments, or asking questions, typically disparaging in the form of an insinuation or ever an insult. Both these players are acting and reacting with each other, again, mainly due to both having a self-centered position about life. It makes sense if a person has an attitude which places themselves in a position of being better than others, they would be one of these two individuals. I would think the person of God would not believe he is better than others and thus not response in such manner. I have, however been guilty of this kind of response when provoked by a crafty person. Failing to see the truth of the matter and holding my tongue. Humanity is frail and self does get in the way. I believe the difference is, however, that believers come to that realization and make amends for their responses attempting to reconcile any hard feelings, while others merely go on being quick-tempered and act in a foolish manner, perhaps causing even greater divisions, which increases the actions of the crafty man toward that quick-tempered one. This is a vicious cycle which harms the relationship of both persons with God. It is prudent to be slow of speech, and speak only good words.