John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 21:14
A gift in secret pacifieth anger ,.... Appeases an angry man; humbles and "brings his anger down" F25 יכפה "deprimit", Piscator; so some in Mercerus; "subigit", Cocceius; "pensat nasum", Schultens. , as Aben Ezra and Gersom observe the word signifies; which before rose very high, and showed itself in big words and disdainful looks, as proud wrath does; or extinguishes it, as the Targum and Vulgate Latin version render it, and very fitly. Anger is a fire in the breast; and a... read more
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 21:14
Here is, 1. The power that is commonly found to be in gifts. Nothing is more violent than anger. O the force of strong wrath! And yet a handsome present, prudently managed, will turn away some men's wrath when it seemed implacable, and disarm the keenest and most passionate resentments. Covetousness is commonly a master-sin and has the command of other lusts. Pecuniae obediunt omnia?Money commands all things. Thus Jacob pacified Esau and Abigail David. 2. The policy that is commonly used in... read more