“He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” Proverbs 16:32

I would like to focus on the fact that God does not minimize our daily struggle against sin. The virtue of self-control is compared to two attainments that do not happen with ease. The word “mighty” could have been translated champion, strong, powerful, warrior. An individual receives the reputation of being strong and powerful or champion / warrior, by fighting and eventually overcoming his enemies. Make no mistake, anger is not a weak enemy, the one who is able to control his anger, is said to be better (since we are comparing we might say mightier) than the mighty.

The second part of this verse makes more of a comprehensive statement. Not only are we considering anger, but self-control in its entirety. The one who rules his spirit, or has control over his desires, is better (mightier) than the one who overtakes an entire city. It is hard to imagine the strength and strategy that would go into an individual successfully conquering an entire city; yet, the individual who would conquer and control his own desires must be stronger and even more strategic than this.