Proverbs 10:14

14 The wise will hide discretion; but the mouth of the hasty draws near to ruin.

Proverbs 10:14 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 10:14

Wise [men] lay up knowledge
Which they get by reading, prayer, meditation, hearing the word of God, and conversation with good men: this they lay up in their hearts, minds, and memories, that they may not forget it, and as a rich treasure they highly value it; that they may bring it forth at proper times, and on proper occasions, for the benefit of others; see ( Matthew 12:35 ) ( 13:52 ) ; or hide F6 it; conceal it; do not boast and brag of it, as foolish men do; but the mouth of the foolish [is] near destruction:
who rashly and unguardedly utters things which bring swift and sudden destruction on himself and others; or terror and consternation, as the word F7 also signifies. The Vulgate Latin version is, "but the mouth of the foolish is near to confusion"; he boasts of his knowledge, betrays his ignorance, and so brings himself to shame and confusion.


FOOTNOTES:

F6 (wnpuy) "abscondent", Pagninus, Montanus; "abscondunt", V. L. "occultant", Michaelis.
F7 (htxm) "terrorem accersit", Tigurine version; "consternatio propinqua", Cocceius; "terror", Vatablus, Michaelis.

Proverbs 10:14 In-Context

12 Hatred stirs up strife; but affection covers all that do not love strife.
13 He that brings forth wisdom from his lips smites the fool with a rod.
14 The wise will hide discretion; but the mouth of the hasty draws near to ruin.
15 The wealth of rich men is a strong city; but poverty is the ruin of the ungodly.
16 The works of the righteous produce life; but the fruits of the ungodly sins.

The Brenton translation of the Septuagint is in the public domain.