Proverbs 29:11

11 A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back.

Proverbs 29:11 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 29:11

A fool uttereth all his mind
At once; tells all he knows, all that is in his breast; whatever he thinks, and all that he intends to do; what or whom he loves or hates. Or, "a fool brings out all his wrath"; so the Targum, Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic versions: he cannot restrain it, nor hide it; it breaks out at once, even all of it, and is soon known, as in ( Proverbs 12:16 ) ; but a wise [man] keepeth it in till afterwards;
reserves his mind, and thoughts, and designs, to himself; and does not discover them until a proper opportunity offers, when to disclose them is most to advantage; or he restrains his wrath and anger, defers showing it to a proper time, when it may answer a better purpose, and he may do it without sin.

Proverbs 29:11 In-Context

9 If a wise man contends with a foolish man, Whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace.

10 The bloodthirsty hate the blameless, But the upright seek his well-being.

11 A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back.

12 If a ruler pays attention to lies, All his servants become wicked.

13 The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The Lord gives light to the eyes of both.

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally spirit