Proverbs 15:2
in Proverbs 15The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright; But the mouth of fools poureth out folly.
KJV
The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
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This verse in Proverbs 15
Commentary
7 notes on this verseThis site's exposition
A gentle answer turns away wrath
on Proverbs 15:1-2
A soft answer turns wrath rather than merely surviving it, and the proverb credits the gentle word with real power over an angry man. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge with intention, weighing a word before releasing it, while a fool's mouth pours out whatever is inside him.
This site's exposition
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge
Commends pictures knowledge made pleasant by a tongue that knows when to speak. Adam Clarke names the hard part of wise speech: when to speak and when to keep silent, what to say and what to leave unsaid. Even wise counsel can be given foolishly.
The record, by era
The Medieval Church2 voices
And the mouth of fools pours out folly. By perversely understanding the words of sacred Scripture, and by preferring their own interpretations over its authority. It can also be understood about the philosophers of the pagans, as he says, The mouth of fools pours out …
The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, etc. The tongue of the Catholic Fathers adorns the knowledge of divine words, by broadly explaining what the canonical Scripture has placed obscurely or has left written only in a historical manner.
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright,.... As the heart of a wise and good man is filled with useful knowledge, civil, moral, spiritual, and evangelical; so he takes care to communicate it, at proper times and seasons, in proper places, and to proper persons; adapting it to their case and circumstances, so as it may be for their comfort, edification, and instruction, and minister grace unto them; which is using knowledge "well", as the word (s) signifies: such an use of it recommends it, and makes it appear beautiful and lovely, decorates and adorns it.
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
Useth knowledge aright - This is very difficult to know: - when to speak, and when to be silent; what to speak, and what to leave unspoken; the manner that is best and most suitable to the occasion, the subject, the circumstances, and the persons. All these are difficulties, often even to the wisest men. Even wise counsel may be foolishly given.
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
Useth knowledge aright - Rather, makes knowledge goodly. The power of well-considered speech to commend true wisdom, is contrasted with the pouring (literally as in the margin) forth of folly.
The words behind it
8 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| לְשׁ֣וֹן | leshon | [the] tongue of | H3956 → | 117 times |
| חֲ֭כָמִים | chakhamim | wise [people] | H2450 → | 138 times |
| תֵּיטִ֣יב | teitiv | it makes good | H3190 → | 117 times |
| דָּ֑עַת | daat | knowledge | H1847 → | 92 times |
| וּפִ֥י | ufi | and [the] mouth of | H6310 → | 498 times |
| כְ֝סִילִ֗ים | khesilim | fools | H3684 → | 70 times |
| יַבִּ֥יעַ | yabia' | it pours forth | H5042 → | 11 times |
| אִוֶּֽלֶת׃ | ʾivelet | foolishness | H200 → | 25 times |
לְשׁ֣וֹן[the] tongue of
leshonH3956 →117 times
חֲ֭כָמִיםwise [people]
chakhamimH2450 →138 times
תֵּיטִ֣יבit makes good
teitivH3190 →117 times
דָּ֑עַתknowledge
daatH1847 →92 times
וּפִ֥יand [the] mouth of
ufiH6310 →498 times
כְ֝סִילִ֗יםfools
khesilimH3684 →70 times
יַבִּ֥יעַit pours forth
yabia'H5042 →11 times
אִוֶּֽלֶת׃foolishness
ʾiveletH200 →25 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Psalms 45:1My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses to the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.
it leads to
- Proverbs 16:23
The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Psalms 49:3
My mouth will impart wisdom, and the meditation of my heart will bring understanding.
- 2 Samuel 23:2
The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; His word was on my tongue.
- Job 33:3
My words are from an upright heart, and my lips speak sincerely what I know.
- Job 32:18–20
For I am full of words, and my spirit within me compels me.
- Proverbs 16:23
Through
Proverbs 15:28The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.
it leads to
- 1 Peter 3:15
But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and…
- Ecclesiastes 5:2
Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. After all, God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your…
- 1 Peter 3:15
Through
Proverbs 12:23A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly.
it leads to
- Proverbs 13:16
Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool displays his folly.
- Proverbs 13:16
Where this verse is studied
About Proverbs
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Bede, Commentary on Proverbs; Charles Bridges, An Exposition of the Book of Proverbs; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763) and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible.