Proverbs 16:23

23 The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction.^[a]

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Proverbs 16:23 in Other Translations

KJV

23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

ESV

23 The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

NLT

23 From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive.

MSG

23 They make a lot of sense, these wise folks; whenever they speak, their reputation increases.

CSB

23 A wise heart instructs its mouth and increases learning with its speech.

Proverbs 16:23 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 16:23

The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth
That is, a man that is wise in heart, as in ( Proverbs 16:21 ) ; his heart will teach his mouth what to say, when to say it, and before whom; it will prompt him to matter, that he shall not be at a loss what to say, nor how to say; it will furnish him with words and things; out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh, ( Matthew 12:34 ) ; and addeth learning to his lips:
so that he does not deliver out mere words, but solid learning along with them, instructive to himself and others. The Targum is,

``and by his lips he addeth doctrine;''

or increases knowledge.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Proverbs 16:23 In-Context

21 The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction.

22 Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools.

23 The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction.

24 Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

25 There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.

Cross References 2

1. Job 15:5
2. ver 21

Footnotes 1

[a]. Or "prudent" / "and make their lips persuasive"