Proverbs 29:20

20 Do you see a man who speaks too soon? There is more hope for a fool than for him.^[a]

Proverbs 29:20 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 29:20

Seest thou a man [that is] hasty in his words
Swift to speak either before God or men; that takes upon him to speak upon a subject, or return an answer to a question, before he has thoroughly thought of it, and well considered it, and digested what he should say; see ( Ecclesiastes 5:2 ) ( James 1:19 ) ; or "hasty in matters" ^F24; in his business; runs rashly and precipitately into things, without duly considering within himself what is right and proper to be done, and without taking the advice of others; [there is] more hope of a fool than of him;
of one that has not the gift of elocution, or not so much sagacity in business, and yet takes time to think, and advises with others.

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FOOTNOTES:

F24 (wyrbdb Ua) "praecipitem in negotiis suis", Vatablus, Piscator; "in rebus suis", Mercerus.

Proverbs 29:20 In-Context

18 Without revelation people run wild, but one who keeps the law will be happy.

19 A servant cannot be disciplined by words; though he understands, he doesn't respond.

20 Do you see a man who speaks too soon? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

21 A slave pampered from his youth will become arrogant later on.

22 An angry man stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered man increases rebellion.

Footnotes

• [a] Pr 19:2