GEN1368 … a primary attribute of the Almighty is that He is erech apayim – slow to anger.   Exodus 34:6.   Proverbs lavishes praise upon the individual who emulates this attribute of the Almighty. He who is slow to anger is better than a hero; and he who controls his emotions, than the conqueror of a city.   Proverbs 16:32.   In a similar vein, the Talmud speaks very highly of an individual who manifests self-control during an argument. In a homiletic interpretation of a verse in Job, Rabbe Illai says, “The world exists only in the merit of an individual who seals his lips during an argument, as it says, “He hands the earth upon בלימה -- nothingness.” Job 26:7, Chullin 89a; See Rashi, s.v. She-bolem atzmo. The root of the world בלימה (lit. nothingness) is similar to that of בולם  -- “to shut, or seal.” The Malbim actually translates this verse as, “He hangs the earth upon the “law” of “shutting in” [the waters, so as not to inundate the earth]. (Malbim, Job 26:7). “The words of the wise,” Ecclesiastes reminds us, are heard softly, Ecclesiastes 9:17 while in Proverbs we are taught, A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger. Proverbs 15:1.  The individual who will train himself to practice true humility will not find it difficult to exercise restraint and self-control during an argument. He will likewise not be torn inwardly with the orally debilitating traits of greed, envy and covetousness. On the contrary, he will be exceedingly grateful to the Almighty for each of his blessings in life. Like Yaakov Avinu, who said “I am not worthy of all the kindness and all the faithfulness which Thou has rendered unto Thy servant,” [this verse], the true anav [humble one - AJL] will deem himself unworthy of those gifts and blessings which he has attained in life, regarding them, rather as manifestations of the munificent kindness and benevolence of his Creator. Such an individual will hardly know the meaning of greed, envy, and covetousness. He will, consequently, be blessed with the rare, yet precious gifts of inner tranquility and peace of mind.   Devoid of the inner turbulence which invariably accompanies a personality ridden by traits of greed, contentiousness, envy and covetousness, such an individual will consequently live a more meaningful, tranquil life. “Envy, lust, and thirst for honor,” Chazal say, “take a man out of the world” Avot 4:21 for his soul is forever tormented and knows no inner peace. Conversely, then, it may be in this vein that Proverbs attributes wealth, honor and life to the man of humility, whose personality will be permeated with the rare gifts of inner tranquility and peace of mind, and whose life will therefore be infinitely richer, more noble, and more meaningful. See Proverbs 22:4.  FENDEL 164-5