Proverbs 16:23

23 A wise heart instructs its mouth and increases learning with its speech.^{[a] [b]}

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 Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning, and pleasant speech increases learning.

22 Insight is a fountain of life for its possessor, but folly is the instruction of fools.

23 A wise heart instructs its mouth and increases learning with its speech.

24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb: sweet to the taste and health to the body.

25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it is the way of death.

Footnotes

• [a] Lit learning upon his lips
• [b] Pr 1:5; 9:9; 16:21