Proverbs 16:23

23 ¹The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

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 The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.

22 Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly.

23 The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

24 Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

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

Cross References

• 1. [Psalms 37:30; Matthew 12:34]