He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life
He that keeps his mouth shut keeps it as with a bridle; keeps it
from speaking things of other persons, particularly of such as
are in high places, of kings and princes, and civil magistrates:
he keeps himself quiet and comfortable; keeps himself from many
troubles, which otherwise he would come into; keeps his life from
danger, to which it would be exposed, should he speak evil of
dignities, or give himself the freedom, as some do, whereby they
are brought to an untimely end; see ( Proverbs
18:21 ) ; besides, persons ought to be careful of their
words, since by them a man will either be justified or condemned
hereafter, ( Matthew
12:37 ) ; [but] he that openeth wide his lips shall
have destruction;
or "consternation" F24: he that is rash and inconsiderate,
hasty with his lips, a talkative man; that speaks freely
everything that comes into his mind, regardless of the characters
of men, or consequences of things; is often brought into frights
and fears, through the menaces and threatenings of men in power,
whose characters he has made too free with, and oftentimes is
brought to ruin and destruction: so he, whose throat is as an
open sepulchre, belching out filthy words, horrid oaths, curses,
and imprecations, destruction is near him, even in all his ways;
and the man of sin, that opens his mouth in blasphemy against
God, and his tabernacle, and his saints, shall go into perdition,
( Revelation 13:5
Revelation 13:6 ) (
17:8 ) .