12 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
And all bare him witness, and wondered at the words of grace which proceeded out of his mouth: and they said, Is not this Joseph's son?
The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright; But the mouth of fools poureth out folly.
Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear.
There is that speaketh rashly like the piercings of a sword; But the tongue of the wise is health.
The good man out of his good treasure bringeth forth good things: and the evil man out of his evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; And the law of kindness is on her tongue.
A word fitly spoken Is `like' apples of gold in network of silver. `As' an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, `So is' a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, And apply thy heart unto my knowledge. For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee, If they be established together upon thy lips.
A false witness shall not be unpunished; And he that uttereth lies shall not escape.
A fool's lips enter into contention, And his mouth calleth for stripes. A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul. The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.
The wise in heart shall be called prudent; And the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. Understanding is a well-spring of life unto him that hath it; But the correction of fools is `their' folly. The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips. Pleasant words are `as' a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth; And a word in due season, how good is it!
And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain Jehovah's anointed.
The mouth of the righteous bringeth forth wisdom; But the perverse tongue shall be cut off. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable; But the mouth of the wicked `speaketh' perverseness.
The tongue of the righteous is `as' choice silver: The heart of the wicked is little worth. The lips of the righteous feed many; But the foolish die for lack of understanding.
He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow; But a prating fool shall fall.
The wise in heart will receive commandments; But a prating fool shall fall.
My mouth shall tell of thy righteousness, `And' of thy salvation all the day; For I know not the numbers `thereof'. I will come with the mighty acts of the Lord Jehovah: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only. O God, thou hast taught me from my youth; And hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Yea, even when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not, Until I have declared thy strength unto `the next' generation, Thy might to every one that is to come.
So they shall be made to stumble, their own tongue being against them: All that see them shall wag the head.
I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great assembly; Lo, I will not refrain my lips, O Jehovah, thou knowest. I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation; I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great assembly.
The mouth of the righteous talketh of wisdom, And his tongue speaketh justice.
`But' I would strengthen you with my mouth, And the solace of my lips would assuage `your grief'.
And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone. And the king of Israel said unto him, So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it. And he hasted, and took the headband away from his eyes; and the king of israel discerned him that he was of the prophets. And he said unto him, Thus saith Jehovah, Because thou hast let go out of thy hand the man whom I had devoted to destruction, therefore thy life shall go for his life, and thy people for his people.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Ecclesiastes 10
Commentary on Ecclesiastes 10 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 10
This chapter seems to be like Solomon's proverbs, a collection of wise sayings and observations, rather than a part of his sermon; but the preacher studied to be sententious, and "set in order many proverbs,' to be brought in in his preaching. Yet the general scope of all the observations in this chapter is to recommend wisdom to us, and its precepts and rules, as of great use for the right ordering of our conversation and to caution us against folly.
Happy the nation when princes and people make conscience of their duty according to these rules.
Ecc 10:1-3
In these verses Solomon shows,
Ecc 10:4-11
The scope of these verses is to keep subjects loyal and dutiful to the government. In Solomon's reign the people were very rich, and lived in prosperity, which perhaps made them proud and petulant, and when the taxes were high, though they had enough to pay them with, it is probable that many conducted themselves insolently towards the government and threatened to rebel. To such Solomon here gives some necessary cautions.
Ecc 10:12-15
Solomon, having shown the benefit of wisdom, and of what great advantage it is to us in the management of our affairs, here shows the mischief of folly and how it exposes men, which perhaps comes in as a reflection upon those rulers who set folly in great dignity.
Ecc 10:16-20
Solomon here observes,