Proverbs 18:20

20 With the ¹fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be satisfied; ²He will be satisfied with the product of his lips.

Proverbs 18:20 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 18:20

A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth,
&c.] With his own words and discourses, when they are prudent, pious, and savoury; when they are with grace, and minister it; they are satisfying to himself, to his own mind and conscience, and to his family; to all within his house, which is, as it were, his belly; but, if otherwise, it will not be profitable nor satisfying to either; and therefore, if a man would keep conscience easy, and be useful to others, he ought to take care what he says; see ( Proverbs 12:14 ) ( 13:2 ) ; [and] with the increase of his lips shall he be filled;
the same thing as before, expressed in different words, alluding to the sowing, of seed in the earth, and the increase of it; as a man sows he reaps, and enjoys the fruits of his labour; according to what a man sows with his lips, such is his harvest he is afterwards a partaker of.

Proverbs 18:20 In-Context

18 The cast lot puts an end to strife And decides between the mighty ones.

19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a citadel.

20 With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be satisfied; He will be satisfied with the product of his lips.

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing And obtains favor from the LORD .

Cross References

• 1. Proverbs 12:14
• 2. Proverbs 14:14

Footnotes

• [a]. I.e. speech