Ecclesiastes 10:12

12 The words of a wise man's mouth are sweet to all, but the lips of a foolish man are his destruction.

Ecclesiastes 10:12 Meaning and Commentary

Ecclesiastes 10:12

The words of a wise man's mouth [are] gracious
Or "grace" ^F21. He speaks kind and good things in favour of the characters of men, and not as the babbling detractor: he speaks well of civil magistrates and rulers in the state; of the ministers of the word in the church; and of all his fellow creatures, as far as can with truth be said: and a truly good and gracious man, who is Solomon's wise man, in opposition to a fool and wicked man; his discourse will run upon the grace of God, upon the doctrines of grace, and upon the experience of the truth of grace on his heart: upon the grace of God the Father, in loving and choosing men; in contriving their salvation; in making a covenant of grace with them in Christ; in sending him to die for them, and in accepting his satisfaction and righteousness for them: and on the grace of the Son, in becoming their surety; assuming their nature, dying in their room and stead, interceding for them, taking care of them, and supplying them with grace out of his fulness: and on the grace of the Spirit, in regeneration and sanctification; working in them faith, hope, and love; applying precious promises to them, and sealing them up to the day of redemption: of these things they speak often one to another, and cannot but talk of the things they have felt and seen: and such words and discourses are gracious, graceful, and grateful to truly pious souls, and minister grace unto them; and are also well pleasing and acceptable to God and Christ, as well as gain them favour among men; see ( Proverbs 22:11 ) ( Ephesians 4:29 ) ; but the lips of a fool swallow up himself;
his words are not only able and displeasing to others, but bring ruin upon himself; by talking too freely of rulers and others, he brings himself into trouble, and plunges himself into difficulties, out of which he cannot easily get; yea, is swallowed up in them, and destroyed. Or, his "lips swallow up him" ^F23; the wise man, whose words are gracious; and, by his calumny and detraction, his deceit and lies, brings him into disgrace and danger: or, "swallows it up", or "that" ^F24; the grace of the wise man, or his gracious words; and hinders the edification of others by them, and the good effects of them. Though the first sense seems best.

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FOOTNOTES:

F21 (Nx) "gratia", Montanus, Mercerus, Drusius, Cocceius, Rambachius.
F23 (wnelbx) "deglutiet eum", Montanus; "absorbent eum", Piscator, Rambachius.
F24 "Illam", Munster, Cocceius; "quam labia stulti velut absorbendo sufferunt", Tigurine version.

Ecclesiastes 10:12 In-Context

10 If the iron has no edge, and he does not make it sharp, then he has to put out more strength; but wisdom makes things go well.

11 If a snake gives a bite before the word of power is said, then there is no longer any use in the word of power.

12 The words of a wise man's mouth are sweet to all, but the lips of a foolish man are his destruction.

13 The first words of his mouth are foolish, and the end of his talk is evil crime.

14 The foolish are full of words; man has no knowledge of what will be; and who is able to say what will be after him?