Ecclesiastes 10:12

The Burden Of Folly

¹¹ If the serpent bites before being charmed, then there is no profit for the charmer. ¹² The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious and win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him; ¹³ the beginning of his talking is foolishness and the end of his talk is wicked madness.

Foolish Man

Wise Man

Words of the Wise

Luke 4:22

And [as He continued on] they all were speaking well of Him, and were in awe and were wondering about the words of grace which were coming from His lips; and they were saying, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”

Proverbs 15:2

The tongue of the wise speaks knowledge that is pleasing and acceptable,
But the [babbling] mouth of fools spouts folly.

2 Samuel 1:16

David said to the [fallen] man, “Your blood is on your own head, for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I have killed the Lord’s anointed.’”

1 Kings 20:40-42

But while your servant was busy here and there, he [escaped and] was gone.” And the king of Israel said to him, “Such is your own judgment (verdict); you have determined it.”

Job 4:3-4

“Behold, you have admonished and instructed many,
And you have strengthened weak hands.

Job 16:5

“[But instead] I could strengthen and encourage you with [the words of] my mouth,
And the consolation and solace of my lips would soothe your suffering and lessen your anguish.

Psalm 37:30

The mouth of the righteous proclaims wisdom,
And his tongue speaks justice and truth.

Psalm 40:9-10

I have proclaimed good news of righteousness [and the joy that comes from obedience to You] in the great assembly;
Behold, I will not restrain my lips [from proclaiming Your righteousness],
As You know, O Lord.

Psalm 64:8

So they will be caused to stumble;
Their own tongue is against them;
All who gaze at them will shake the head [in scorn].

Psalm 71:15-18

My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness
And of Your [deeds of] salvation all day long,
For their number is more than I know.

Psalm 140:9

“Those who surround me raise their heads;
May the mischief of their own lips come upon them.

Proverbs 10:8

The wise in heart [are willing to learn so they] will accept and obey commands (instruction),
But the babbling fool [who is arrogant and thinks himself wise] will come to ruin.

Proverbs 10:10

He who [maliciously] winks the eye [of evil intent] causes trouble;
And the babbling fool [who is arrogant and thinks himself wise] will come to ruin.

Proverbs 10:13-14

On the lips of the discerning, [skillful and godly] wisdom is found,
But discipline and the rod are for the back of the one who is without common sense and understanding.

Proverbs 10:20-21

The tongue of the righteous is like precious silver (greatly valued);
The heart of the wicked is worth little.

Proverbs 10:31-32

The mouth of the righteous flows with [skillful and godly] wisdom,
But the perverted tongue will be cut out.

Proverbs 12:13-14

An evil man is [dangerously] ensnared by the transgression of his lips,
But the righteous will escape from trouble.

Proverbs 12:18

There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 15:23

A man has joy in giving an appropriate answer,
And how good and delightful is a word spoken at the right moment—how good it is!

Proverbs 16:21-24

The wise in heart will be called understanding,
And sweet speech increases persuasiveness and learning [in both speaker and listener].

Proverbs 18:6-8

A fool’s lips bring contention and strife,
And his mouth invites a beating.

Proverbs 19:5

A false witness will not go unpunished,
And he who breathes out lies will not escape.

Proverbs 22:11

He who loves purity of heart
And whose speech is gracious will have the king as his friend.

Proverbs 22:17-18

Listen carefully and hear the words of the wise,
And apply your mind to my knowledge;

Proverbs 25:11-12

Like apples of gold in settings of silver
Is a word spoken at the right time.

Proverbs 26:9

Like a thorn that goes [without being felt] into the hand of a drunken man,
So is a proverb in the mouth of a fool [who remains unaffected by its wisdom].

Proverbs 31:26

She opens her mouth in [skillful and godly] wisdom,
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue [giving counsel and instruction].

Matthew 12:35

The good man, from his [inner] good treasure, brings out good things; and the evil man, from his [inner] evil treasure, brings out evil things.

Luke 19:22

He said to the servant, ‘I will judge and condemn you by your own words, you worthless servant! Did you [really] know that I was a stern man, picking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow?

Ephesians 4:29

Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak].

Colossians 4:6

Let your speech at all times be gracious and pleasant, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to answer each one [who questions you].