Proverbs 16:23

23 The heart of the wise shall instruct his mouth: and shall add grace to his lips.

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 shall be called prudent: and he that is sweet in words, shall attain to greater things.
22 Knowledge is a fountain of life to him that possesseth it: the instruction of fools is foolishness.
23 The heart of the wise shall instruct his mouth: and shall add grace to his lips.
24 Well ordered words are as a honeycomb: sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25 There is a way that seemeth to a man right: and the ends thereof lead to death.
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