When a land transgresses, it has many rulers,
but with a man of understanding and knowledge,
its stability will long continue.
via Passage: Proverbs 28:2 (ESV Bible Online).
As I’ve mentioned before (most recently, I think, here), Proverbs is written to a prince–a young man who is going to inherit a kingdom. But Proverbs obviously is written to everyone. It seems that, in an important sense, we are all kings called to rule over responsibilities, most basically over our selves.
With that in mind, Proverbs 28:2 applies not only to a land but to a person.
A person should not be enslaved to rulers like eyelashes or strong drink….
Do not desire her beauty in your heart,
and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes; (Proverbs 6.25)Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,
and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. (Proverbs 20.1)
A man should not be subject to lips that trap him in a fight, or hands refuse to follow orders and work. His spirit should not be given free rein to lead him anywhere, and his drives should not be permitted to take him prisoner.
A fool’s lips walk into a fight,
and his mouth invites a beating.
A fool’s mouth is his ruin,
and his lips are a snare to his soul. (Proverbs 18.6-7)The desire of the sluggard kills him,
for his hands refuse to labor. (Proverbs 21.25)A fool gives full vent to his spirit,
but a wise man quietly holds it back. (Proverbs 29.11)The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust. (Proverbs 11.6)
A wise man, however, guards his mouth and eyes and heart. He is not under the authority of many “rulers” but is a stable, unified person.
Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life. (Proverbs 4.23)Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life;
he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. (Proverbs 13.3)Whoever restrains his words has knowledge,
and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. (Proverbs 17.27)Let your eyes look directly forward,
and your gaze be straight before you. (Proverbs 4.25)
You are your own land. If you give in to folly, you will become at war with yourself. You will be a person of insurrection. But if you follow God’s ways, and depend on Him, you will be given dominion over yourself.