American Standard Version
Proverbs 17:7
7Excellent speech becometh not a fool;Much less do lying lips a prince.
Proverbs 17:7 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
- New International Version (NIV)Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool— how much worse lying lips to a ruler!
- English Standard Version (ESV)Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a prince.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, Much less lying lips to a prince.
Context of Proverbs 17:7
5Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; Andhe that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished. 6Children’s children are the crown of old men; And the glory of children are their fathers. Excellent speech becometh not a fool; Much less do lying lips a prince. 8A bribe isasa precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth. 9He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; But he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends.
Read all of Proverbs 17Proverbs 17:7 word by word
לֹא־נָאוָ֣ה לְנָבָ֣ל שְׂפַת־יֶ֑תֶר אַ֝֗ף כִּֽי־לְנָדִ֥יב שְׂפַת־שָֽׁקֶר׃Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Proverbs 17:7
- Proverbs 26:7The legs of the lame hang loose; So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
- Psalms 50:16But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, And that thou hast taken my covenant in thy mouth,
- Proverbs 16:10A divine sentence is in the lips of the king; His mouth shall not transgress in judgment.
- Proverbs 29:12If a ruler hearkeneth to falsehood, All his servants are wicked.
- 2 Samuel 23:3The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spake to me: One that ruleth over men righteously, That ruleth in the fear of God,
- Job 34:12Yea, of a surety, God will not do wickedly, Neither will the Almighty pervert justice.
- Psalms 101:3I will set no base thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; It shall not cleave unto me.
- Proverbs 12:19The lip of truth shall be established for ever; But a lying tongue is but for a moment.
Commentaries on Proverbs 17:7
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 7Excellent speech becometh not a fool - This proverb is suitable to those who affect, in public speaking, fine language, which neither comports with their ordinary conversation, nor with their education. Often fine words are injudiciously brought in, and are as unbecoming and irrelevant as a cart wheel among clockwork.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 7The margin renderings are more literal and give greater emphasis. What is pointed out is not the unfitness of lying lips for the princely-hearted, but the necessity of harmony, in each case, between character and speech.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 7Verse 7 A fool, in Solomon's Proverbs, signifies a wicked man, whom excellent speech does not become, because his conversation contradicts it.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 77. Excellent speech--(Compare Margin). Such language as ill suits a fool, as lying (ought to suit) a prince (Pr 16:12, 13).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 17:7
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 17
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
American Standard Version — 1901 — Public Domain
Commentaries