English Standard Version
Ecclesiastes 10:12
12The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.
Ecclesiastes 10:12 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
- New International Version (NIV)Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up;
- New Living Translation (NLT)Wise words bring approval, but fools are destroyed by their own words.
Context of Ecclesiastes 10:12
10If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed. 11If the serpent bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage to the charmer. The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him. 13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is evil madness. 14A fool multiplies words, though no man knows what is to be, and who can tell him what will be after him?
Read all of Ecclesiastes 10Ecclesiastes 10:12 word by word
דִּבְרֵ֥י פִי־חָכָ֖ם חֵ֑ן וְשִׂפְת֥וֹת כְּסִ֖יל תְּבַלְּעֶֽנּוּ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 10:12
- Job 4:3Behold, you have instructed many, and you have strengthened the weak hands.
- Job 16:5I could strengthen you with my mouth, and the solace of my lips would assuage your pain.
- Psalms 37:30The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.
- Psalms 40:9I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord.
- Psalms 71:15My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge.
- Proverbs 10:13On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.
- Proverbs 12:13An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble.
- Proverbs 15:2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
- Proverbs 16:21The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
- Proverbs 22:17Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge,
- Proverbs 25:11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
- Proverbs 31:26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
- Matthew 12:35The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.
- Luke 4:22And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, "Is not this Joseph's son?"
- Ephesians 4:29Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
- Colossians 4:6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 10:12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12The words of a wise man's mouth - Every thing that proceeds from him is decent and orderly, creditable to himself, and acceptable to those who hear him. But the lips of the fool, which speak every thing at random, and have no understanding to guide them, are not only not pleasant to others, but often destructive to himself.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11-15Verses 11-15 There is a practice in the East, of charming serpents by music. The babbler's tongue is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison; and contradiction only makes it the more violent. We must find the way to keep him gentle. But by rash, unprincipled, or slanderous talk, he brings open or secret vengeance upon himself. Would we duly consider our own ignorance as to future events, it would cut off many idle words which we foolishly multiply. Fools…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12Fools face ruin from making foolish promises, giving false testimony, and angering the wrong people (see 5:6; Proverbs 17:20; 18:6–7; 19:5, 9).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. gracious--Thereby he takes precaution against sudden injury (Ec 10:11). swallow up himself--(Pr 10:8, 14, 21, 32; 12:13; 15:2; 22:11).Read the comment
Topics related to Ecclesiastes 10:12
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 10
- 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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries