Proverbs 16:23

23 cor sapientis erudiet os eius et labiis illius addet gratiam

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 qui sapiens corde est appellabitur prudens et qui dulcis eloquio maiora percipiet
22 fons vitae eruditio possidentis doctrina stultorum fatuitas
23 cor sapientis erudiet os eius et labiis illius addet gratiam
24 favus mellis verba conposita dulcedo animae et sanitas ossuum
25 est via quae videtur homini recta et novissimum eius ducit ad mortem
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.