Proverbs 13:3

3 Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.

Proverbs 13:3 in Other Translations

3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

3 Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

3 Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.

3 Careful words make for a careful life; careless talk may ruin everything.

3 The one who guards his mouth protects his life; the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.

Proverbs 13:3 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 13:3

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 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F24 (htxm) "consternatio", Mercerus, Cocceius, Michaelis; "terrebitur", Tigurine version.

Proverbs 13:3 In-Context

1 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.

2 From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things, but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.

3 Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.

4 A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

5 The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves a stench and bring shame on themselves.

Cross References

• 1. S Psalms 12:2; S Psalms 34:13; James 3:2
• 2. S Proverbs 10:6; Proverbs 21:23
• 3. S Job 1:22; Pr 18:7,20-21