Proverbs 10:11

11 The words of a good person give life, like a fountain of water, but the words of the wicked contain nothing but violence.

Proverbs 10:11 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 10:11

The mouth of a righteous [man is] a well of life
Like a fountain of living water, continually running and flowing with water, wholesome, reviving, and refreshing; so the righteous man's mouth, out of the abundance of his heart, overflows with good things, which minister grace to the hearers, and are for the use of edifying; things that are pleasant and profitable, grateful and acceptable, comforting, refreshing, and pleasing, and which tend to the good of the life that now is, and that which is to come; but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked;
so that nothing comes out of it but what is pernicious and hurtful; what savours of rapine and violence; nothing but lying and deceit, cursing and swearing, and such like filthy and corrupt communication; (See Gill on Proverbs 10:6). The Targum is, "the mouth of the ungodly covers injury"; which is meditated in the heart; so the Vulgate Latin version.

Proverbs 10:11 In-Context

9 The honest person will live in safety, but the dishonest will be caught.

10 A wink may get you into trouble, and foolish talk will lead to your ruin.

11 The words of a good person give life, like a fountain of water, but the words of the wicked contain nothing but violence.

12 Hatred stirs up trouble, but love forgives all wrongs.

13 Smart people speak wisely, but people without wisdom should be punished.