Proverbs 10:8

8 A wise man in heart will receive commandments; but he that is unguarded in his lips shall be overthrown in his perverseness.

Proverbs 10:8 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 10:8

The wise in heart will receive commandments
Such who have true wisdom in the hidden part of the heart, of which the fear of the Lord is the beginning: these will not only, as good subjects, honour their king, and attend to his lawful commands; and, as dutiful children, regard those of their parents; and, as faithful servants, hearken to those of their masters; but, as such that fear the Lord, will receive and cheerfully obey the commandments of God and Christ;

but a prating fool shall fall;
like Diotrephes, that prated against the Apostle John and other saints. Or, "a fool of lips" ^F2; whose folly is proclaimed and made known by his lips; who, out of the abundance of it in his heart, speaks and pours it out by his lips: such an one falls into sin and into mischief; he falls into disgrace in this world, and into hell in the next. The Targum is,

``the fool by his lips shall be taken;''

as in a snare.

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FOOTNOTES:

F2 (Mytpv lywa) "stultus labiis", Montanus

Proverbs 10:8 In-Context

6 The blessing of the Lord is upon the head of the just: but untimely grief shall cover the mouth of the ungodly.

7 The memory of the just is praised; but the name of the ungodly is extinguished.

8 A wise man in heart will receive commandments; but he that is unguarded in his lips shall be overthrown in his perverseness.

9 He that walks simply, walks confidently; but he that perverts his ways shall be known.

10 He that winks with his eyes deceitfully, procures griefs for men; but he that reproves boldly is a peacemaker.