Proverbs 5:2

2 That you may maintain discretion, That your lips may preserve knowledge.

Proverbs 5:2 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 5:2

That thou mayest regard discretion
Observe it; retain it in thine heart, as Aben Ezra adds, and use it; think, speak, and act discreetly, and so avoid the bad woman afterwards described: the Vulgate Latin version is, "that thou mayest keep the thoughts"; and so Gersom interprets the word; "good thoughts", according to the Septuagint version; the thoughts of the heart are to be observed. A man of spiritual wisdom will take notice of them; evil thoughts, which lead to uncleanness, are to be repressed and kept in; good ones to be cherished and improved; wise and sagacious ones (such the word here used signifies) are to be attended to, as being of great advantage in the various affairs and business of life; and spiritual and evangelical wisdom helps to such thoughts, and directs to the observance and exercise of them; and [that] thy lips may keep knowledge;
may be able to speak of things worthy to be known, and communicate the knowledge of them to others; by which means useful knowledge will be kept and preserved, and be continued in successive ages; see ( Malachi 2:7 ) ; even the knowledge of God and of Christ, and of the Gospel and its doctrines; and which will be a means of preserving men, as from false doctrine, error, and heresy, so from profaneness and immorality; and particularly from the adulterous woman, next described.

Proverbs 5:2 In-Context

1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom. Turn your ear to my understanding:
2 That you may maintain discretion, That your lips may preserve knowledge.
3 For the lips of an adulteress drip honey. Her mouth is smoother than oil,
4 But in the end she is as bitter as wormwood, And as sharp as a two-edged sword.
5 Her feet go down to death. Her steps lead straight to She'ol.
The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.