Proverbs 16:23

23 The heart of the wise man is the teacher of his mouth, and gives increased learning to his lips.

Proverbs 16:23 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 16:23

The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth
That is, a man that is wise in heart, as in ( Proverbs 16:21 ) ; his heart will teach his mouth what to say, when to say it, and before whom; it will prompt him to matter, that he shall not be at a loss what to say, nor how to say; it will furnish him with words and things; out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh, ( Matthew 12:34 ) ; and addeth learning to his lips:
so that he does not deliver out mere words, but solid learning along with them, instructive to himself and others. The Targum is,

``and by his lips he addeth doctrine;''

or increases knowledge.

Proverbs 16:23 In-Context

21 The wise-hearted will be named men of good sense: and by pleasing words learning is increased.

22 Wisdom is a fountain of life to him who has it; but the punishment of the foolish is their foolish behaviour.

23 The heart of the wise man is the teacher of his mouth, and gives increased learning to his lips.

24 Pleasing words are like honey, sweet to the soul and new life to the bones.

25 There is a way which seems straight before a man, but its end is the ways of death.