Proverbs 18:4

4 Spoken words can be like deep water, but wisdom is like a flowing stream.

Proverbs 18:4 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 18:4

The words of a man's mouth [are as] deep waters
The words of a great and mighty man; of an excellent and valuable man, as Jarchi; or of a wise man, as Aben Ezra. The doctrines which such a man has imbibed, and his heart is full of and his mouth utters, are like to "waters", pure, purifying, and refreshing; to "deep waters", which make no noise, and cannot be easily fathomed: such are the deep mysteries of grace, the wisdom of God in a mystery, spoken among them that are perfect; of which a good man makes no boast, but humbly declares; out of the abundance of his heart, his mouth speaks; [and] the wellspring of wisdom [as] a flowing brook;
there is a spring of spiritual wisdom and knowledge in him; a well of living water, springing up unto everlasting life; and from thence it flows freely and constantly; communicating itself liberally unto others, and ministering grace to the hearers, for their edification.

Proverbs 18:4 In-Context

2 Fools do not want to understand anything. They only want to tell others what they think.

3 Do something evil, and people won't like you. Do something shameful, and they will make fun of you.

4 Spoken words can be like deep water, but wisdom is like a flowing stream.

5 It is not good to honor the wicked or to be unfair to the innocent.

6 The words of fools start quarrels. They make people want to beat them.