9 If a wise man has an argument with a fool,
the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.
10 Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless
and seek the life of the upright.
11 A fool gives full vent to his spirit,
but a wise man quietly holds it back.
- Prov 29:9-11 ESV
RAGE OR REST
An irrational, unfair and immoral person has the propensity to be emotionally volatile. To engage the fool is not a good idea. Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself (Prov 26:4) Generally, the "fools" are usually unreasonable. They bicker and argue because they enjoy the attention and feeling of being in control. Such people are referred as the "scoffers" mentioned in other verses, such as Proverbs 9:7; 29:8). They are not interested in truth, and may not even care about winning the argument, but only love tricking others into playing their games. Arguing reasonably may only make them angry (Mat 7:6) and would be a waste of time (Titus 3:9–11).
They are bloodthirsty. As verse 10 says, “Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless and seek the life of the upright.” It's possible thismay mean to evil people who arrange for witnesses to be killed before they can testify. They hate that their wickedness be exposed (Prov 26:26; John 3:20). This violence that evil people do to the righteous has many examples in the bible. Ahab and Jezebel threatened and murdered the prophets. (1 Kings 18:4, 13). King Herod gave the command to kill innocent Jewish infants in his effort to remove Jesus Christ (Mat 2:16). Herod killed the apostle James (Acts 12:1–2). History records the persecution of Christians throughout the world. The most obvious example of "bloodthirstiness of the wicked" is the crucifixion of the sinless Savior (John 18:38; 19:12–16; 1 Peter 3:18).
But, the wise is full of self-control. It is one of the signs of godly wisdom (Prov 10:19; 25:28). The ability to control one's speech is especially essential (Prov 17:27). A "fool" is someone who ignores godliness and common sense (Prov 8:32–36). Their emotions are volatile and need to be restrained by a reasoned mind (Rom 12:2; Prov 16:32). A foolish person lets his emotions control him. This Hebrew phrase is associated with stopping the motion of a liquid, such as waves in the sea or water sloshing in a bucket (Psa 65:7; 89:9). Just think of the difficulty of calming one's own temper. (Jas 3:2–5). The disciples James and John had struggles with this. They were not fools but they acted like fools by asking Jesus permission to call down fire on Samaritan villages which rejected Jesus. They asked: "Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" (Luke 9:54). Jesus rebuked them. Jesus called them the "Sons of Thunder" (Mark 3:17) But, Jesus transformed them into loving disciples.
The solution to a lack of self-control is dependence to the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22–24). What's impossible for people can be done through God's power (Luke 18:27; Jas 3:8). Amazingly, Jesus demonstrates His power to calm dangerous waves with just a word (Mark 4:39–41).