Proverbs 10:12 - Exposition

Hatred stirreth up strife ( Proverbs 6:14 ). Love covereth all sins ( Proverbs 17:9 ). The reference is primarily to the blood feud, the existence of which led to the establishment of the cities of refuge. Hatred keeps alive the old feeling of revenge, and seeks opportunities of satisfying it; but love puts aside, forgets and forgives all offences against itself. This sentiment comes very near the great Christian principle, "Love covereth a multitude of sins". The Talmud pronounces, "To love a thing makes the eye blind, the ear deaf;" and the Arab says, "Love is the companion of blindness." Septuagint, "Love ( φιλία ) covereth all those who love not strife."