12 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool swallow up himself.
And all bore witness to him, and wondered at the words of grace which were coming out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this the son of Joseph?
The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright; but the mouth of the foolish poureth out folly.
Let no corrupt word go out of your mouth, but if [there be] any good one for needful edification, that it may give grace to those that hear [it].
There is that babbleth like the piercings of a sword; but the tongue of the wise is health.
The good man out of the good treasure brings forth good things; and the wicked man out of the wicked treasure brings forth wicked things.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and upon her tongue is the law of kindness.
[As] apples of gold in pictures of silver, is a word spoken in season. An ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, is a wise reprover upon an attentive 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: they shall be together fitted on thy lips.
A false witness shall not be held innocent, 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 destruction to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul. The words of a talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
The wise in heart is called intelligent, and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. Wisdom is a fountain of life for him that hath it; but the instruction of fools is folly. The heart of the wise maketh his mouth intelligent, and upon his lips increaseth learning. Pleasant words are [as] a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health for the bones.
A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth; and a word in its season, how good is it!
And David said to him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth has testified against thee, saying, I have slain Jehovah's anointed.
The mouth of a righteous [man] putteth forth wisdom; but the froward tongue shall be cut out. The lips of a righteous [man] know what is acceptable; but the mouth of the wicked is frowardness.
The tongue of the righteous [man] is [as] choice silver; the heart of the wicked is little worth. The lips of a righteous [man] feed many; but fools die for want of understanding.
He that winketh with the eye causeth grief, and a prating fool shall fall.
The wise in heart receiveth commandments; but a prating fool shall fall.
My mouth shall declare thy righteousness, [and] thy salvation all the day: for I know not the numbers [thereof]. I will go in the might of the Lord Jehovah; I will recall thy righteousness, thine alone. O God, thou hast taught me from my youth, and hitherto have I proclaimed thy marvellous works: Now also, when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not, until I have proclaimed thine arm unto [this] generation, thy might to every one that is to come.
By their own tongue they are made to fall over one another: all that see them shall flee away.
I have published righteousness in the great congregation: behold, I have not withheld my lips, Jehovah, *thou* knowest. I have not hidden thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy loving-kindness and thy truth from the great congregation.
The mouth of the righteous proffereth wisdom, and his tongue speaketh judgment;
[But] I would encourage you with my mouth, and the solace of my lips should assuage [your pain].
And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone. And the king of Israel said to him, So [is] thy judgment: thyself hast decided [it]. Then he hastily took the sash away from his face; and the king of Israel discerned him, that he was of the prophets. And he said to him, Thus saith Jehovah: Because thou hast let go out of thy hand the man that I had devoted to destruction, thy life shall be 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,