Proverbs 16:23

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

Proverbs 16:23 in Other Translations

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

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

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

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

23 The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips.

23 A wise person's heart controls his speech, and what he says helps others learn.

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

23 The hearts of wise people guide their mouths. Their words make people want to learn more.

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.

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

• 1. Job 15:5
• 2. ver 21

Footnotes

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