Proverbs 29:11

11 A fool uttereth all his mind; but a wise [man] keepeth it back.

Proverbs 29:11 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 29:11

A fool uttereth all his mind
At once; tells all he knows, all that is in his breast; whatever he thinks, and all that he intends to do; what or whom he loves or hates. Or, "a fool brings out all his wrath"; so the Targum, Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic versions: he cannot restrain it, nor hide it; it breaks out at once, even all of it, and is soon known, as in ( Proverbs 12:16 ) ; but a wise [man] keepeth it in till afterwards;
reserves his mind, and thoughts, and designs, to himself; and does not discover them until a proper opportunity offers, when to disclose them is most to advantage; or he restrains his wrath and anger, defers showing it to a proper time, when it may answer a better purpose, and he may do it without sin.

Proverbs 29:11 In-Context

9 If a wise man contendeth with a fool, whether he rage or laugh, [he] hath no rest.

10 The bloodthirsty hate the perfect, but the upright care for his soul.

11 A fool uttereth all his mind; but a wise [man] keepeth it back.

12 If a ruler hearken to lying words, all his servants are wicked.

13 The indigent and the oppressor meet together; Jehovah lighteneth the eyes of them both.

Footnotes

• [a]. Kesil: see note o, ch. 1.7.
• [b]. Or 'passion.'
• [c]. Lit. 'keepeth back and calmeth.'