Proverbs 14:3

3 In the mouth of a fool is the rod of pride, but the lips of the wise preserve them.

Proverbs 14:3 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 14:3

In the mouth of the foolish [is] a rod of pride
A proud tongue, or a tongue speaking proud and haughty things; with which foolish or wicked men smite others and wound and hurt their reputation and credit, and in the issue hurt themselves also; their tongue is not only a rod to others, but a scourge to themselves, or is the cause of evil coming upon them; such was the tongue of Pharaoh, as Jarchi on the place observes, ( Exodus 5:2 ) ; and of those the psalmist speaks of, ( Psalms 73:9 ) ; and particularly of antichrist, whose mouth is opened in blasphemies against God, and his tabernacle, and his saints, ( Revelation 13:5 Revelation 13:6 ) ; but the lips of the wise shall preserve them;
from speaking such proud and haughty things against God and men; or from being hurt by the tongues of men or their own; yea, what coaxes out of their mouth is confounding and destructive to their enemies, ( Revelation 11:5 ) .

Proverbs 14:3 In-Context

1 The {wisest of women} builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her hands.

2 He who walks in uprightness fears Yahweh, but he who is devious [in] his ways displeases him.

3 In the mouth of a fool is the rod of pride, but the lips of the wise preserve them.

4 {When there are no} oxen the manger is empty, but an abundance of crops [comes] by the strength of an ox.

5 A faithful witness does not lie, but he who breathes out falsehood is a witness of deceit.