Proverbs 16:23

23 A wise person's heart controls his speech, and what he says helps others learn.

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 person who is truly wise is called understanding, and speaking sweetly helps others learn.

22 Understanding is a fountain of life to the one who has it, but stubborn fools punish themselves with their stupidity.

23 A wise person's heart controls his speech, and what he says helps others learn.

24 Pleasant words are [like] honey from a honeycomb-- sweet to the spirit and healthy for the body.

25 There is a way that seems right to a person, but eventually it ends in death.