So there was a very fierce battle that day, and Abner and the men of Israel were beaten before the servants of David.

Then Abner called to Joab and said, "Shall the sword devour forever? Do you not know that it will be bitter in the latter end? How long will it be then until you tell the people to return from pursuing their brethren?"

And Joab said, "[As] God lives, unless you had spoken, surely then by morning all the people would have given up pursuing their brethren."

To do evil [is] like sport to a fool, But a man of understanding has wisdom.

The beginning of strife [is like] releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.

Plans are established by counsel; By wise counsel wage war.

Do not go hastily to court; For what will you do in the end, When your neighbor has put you to shame?

Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,

[Is] the man [who] deceives his neighbor, And says, "I was only joking!"