Proverbs 14:3

3 The rod of pride is in the mouth of a fool; the lips of wise men keep them (but the lips of the wise keep them safe).

Proverbs 14:3 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 14:3

In the mouth of the foolish [is] a rod of pride
A proud tongue, or a tongue speaking proud and haughty things; with which foolish or wicked men smite others and wound and hurt their reputation and credit, and in the issue hurt themselves also; their tongue is not only a rod to others, but a scourge to themselves, or is the cause of evil coming upon them; such was the tongue of Pharaoh, as Jarchi on the place observes, ( Exodus 5:2 ) ; and of those the psalmist speaks of, ( Psalms 73:9 ) ; and particularly of antichrist, whose mouth is opened in blasphemies against God, and his tabernacle, and his saints, ( Revelation 13:5 Revelation 13:6 ) ; but the lips of the wise shall preserve them;
from speaking such proud and haughty things against God and men; or from being hurt by the tongues of men or their own; yea, what coaxes out of their mouth is confounding and destructive to their enemies, ( Revelation 11:5 ) .

Proverbs 14:3 In-Context

1 A wise woman buildeth her house; and an unwise woman shall destroy with hands, that is, with her evil works, an house builded. (A wise woman buildeth up her own house; but an unwise woman shall destroy with her own hands, that is, with her own evil works, the house that she hath built.)

2 A man going in rightful way, and dreading God, is despised of him that goeth in the way of evil fame. (A person who doeth right, and feareth God/and revereth God, is despised by him who goeth in evil ways.)

3 The rod of pride is in the mouth of a fool; the lips of wise men keep them (but the lips of the wise keep them safe).

4 Where oxen be not, the cratch is void (the stall is empty); but where full many corns appear, there the strength of the ox is [made] open.

5 A faithful witness shall not lie; a guileful witness bringeth forth a leasing (a deceitful witness bringeth forth many lies).