The unguarded moment the hasty word the irritable temper the rudeness of manner the occasional slip the supposed harmless eccentricities all tend to spoil the fragrance of the ointment. The more delicate the perfume, the more easily spoiled is the ointment. Common oil is not so liable to injury. Solomon argues for using self-control, rather than storming off in a sort of righteous huff. Such righteous huffs have at their root usually more pride than righteousness.
Calmness can lay great errors to rest.
The ruler may be in error or yes, you yourself may be in error. In any case, self-control and calmness are called for, so that the error may be put to rest. Solomon, in the book of Ecclesiastes, has much to say about the wisdom and folly of rulers. He understood the importance of wise rulers on this earth. Our well-being on earth, our prosperity and comfort have much to do with how wise our rulers are.