Proverbs 18:20

20 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; [and] with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.

Proverbs 18:20 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 18:20

A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth,
&c.] With his own words and discourses, when they are prudent, pious, and savoury; when they are with grace, and minister it; they are satisfying to himself, to his own mind and conscience, and to his family; to all within his house, which is, as it were, his belly; but, if otherwise, it will not be profitable nor satisfying to either; and therefore, if a man would keep conscience easy, and be useful to others, he ought to take care what he says; see ( Proverbs 12:14 ) ( 13:2 ) ; [and] with the increase of his lips shall he be filled;
the same thing as before, expressed in different words, alluding to the sowing, of seed in the earth, and the increase of it; as a man sows he reaps, and enjoys the fruits of his labour; according to what a man sows with his lips, such is his harvest he is afterwards a partaker of.

Proverbs 18:20 In-Context

18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

19 A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city: and [their] contentions [are] like the bars of a castle.

20 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; [and] with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.

21 Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit of it.

22 [Whoever] findeth a wife findeth a good [thing], and obtaineth favor from the LORD.