The next area of application has to do with our speech. Exercising wisdom is not just about what we do, but includes those things which we speak.
“Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool, much less are lying lips to a prince” (17:7).
A fool will not appreciate wisdom, listen to wisdom, or grow in wisdom. This will be seen in his character (as has already been discussed) and in his words. One who fails to acquire wisdom will not speak the words of wisdom. The wise man, however, as he grows in wisdom will develop “excellent speech,” which will then be evident to all who hear him.
The Value of Good Words
Earlier in the study we considered the value of wisdom and how it is worth far more than gold, silver, and other valuable things of this life. As wisdom produces “excellent speech” (17:7), we would expect that the words spoken by one who has acquired wisdom would also be valuable. Various passages in the book of Proverbs show this to be the case.
“The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence” (10:11).
Good words lead to life. This can refer to the fact that one who keeps his speech upright will be blessed in this life. It is also true that one who speaks the words of righteousness contributes to the spiritual well-being of himself and all who hear him. In contrast, the words of the wicked “conceals violence,” hiding the harm that comes from their destructive speech.
“The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom, but the perverted tongue will be cut out. The lips of the righteous bring forth what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked what is perverted” (10:31-32).
One who has become righteous by following the path of wisdom from above will speak things that are “acceptable” and will impart wisdom. The wicked man, because he has rejected divine wisdom, speaks what is “perverted” and corrupt. No matter how wise he thinks he is, without true wisdom, he is only speaking what “seems right” to him, which ultimately leads to “death” (14:12; 16:25). Solomon refers to the end of the wicked man’s counsel when he says his “tongue will be cut out.”
“The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver, the heart of the wicked is worth little” (10:20).
“There is gold, and an abundance of jewels; but the lips of knowledge are a more precious thing” (20:15).
Gold, silver, and jewels have always been valuable in the eyes of man. Solomon uses them to make a comparison with wise speech. If we take those things that are generally regarded as being the most valuable worldly possessions, “the lips of knowledge are a more precious thing.”
“Evil plans are an abomination to the Lord, but pleasant words are pure” (15:26).
There is a slight difference in the New American Standard translation (cited above) and the King James Version. The New American Standard translation has “pleasant words” being called “pure.” In the King James Version however, those who speak “pleasant words” are called “pure.” “The words of the pure are pleasant words” (KJV). In either case, purity – which comes from one learning and applying the will of God – results in speech that is pleasant. This is contrasted with the “evil plans” – the intentions of a corrupt heart – which is an abomination to the Lord. This provides yet another reminder that the fruits of wisdom – in this case, speech – are produced from one having his heart right before God.
“Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances” (25:11).
“Like cold water to a weary soul, so is good news from a distant land” (25:25).
The two verses above describe the great value of words of encouragement. The “apples of gold in settings of silver” are a symbol of the beauty and richness of words that are used to build up others. The “cold water to a weary soul” is used to describe encouraging words as being refreshing and even life-saving. Without good words to encourage and provide instruction of the ways of God, there is no reason for hope and no path to life.
The Consequences of Evil Words
Besides the fact that good words are valuable, using proper speech is also important because of the negative consequences that come from evil words.
“An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips” (12:13).
An evil man is going to speak things that are also evil. Remember: “For as he thinks within himself, so he is” (23:7). His evil thoughts are going to come out in the words he uses. When this happens and he sins with his lips, he will bring trouble upon himself. The wise man says elsewhere, “In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will protect them” (14:3). The good words of the wise man will provide protection from harm that might otherwise come against him. In contrast, the evil words of the foolish man will only endanger him.
“Bread obtained by falsehood is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel” (20:17).
It is common for people to lie in order to get what they want. When they do this, they may have the initial satisfaction and pleasure of enjoying whatever it is that they were able to obtain through falsehood. But this “sweet” taste will eventually change, as if “his mouth [were] filled with gravel.” This could possibly refer to the guilt that one may later have for lying in order to acquire what he wanted. It can also refer to the negative consequences of lying – such as receiving the bad reputation of being a liar or the threat of vengeance from the one who was deceived. Either way, Solomon is emphasizing the fact that lying in order to gain some sort of advantage is common, but it is neither wise nor beneficial in the long term.
“He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, therefore do not associate with a gossip” (20:19).
One of the more common sins of the tongue is gossip. The wise man offers some practical advise here: “Do not associate with a gossip.” If you associate with a gossip, they will tell others of the secret things they find out about you that do not need to be repeated to others. Even one who is blameless and upright can suffer harm as the result of gossip spread about him. So it is better to not keep company with a gossip at all. Those who follow after wisdom will heed this advice. Those who do not will continue to associate with one who gossips. Therefore, for the one spreading gossip, there is the negative consequence of losing his godly friends (as they follow the instruction of the wise man) and being left with only evil friends.
“He who curses his father or his mother, his lamp will go out in time of darkness” (20:20).
One of the Ten Commandments contained the instruction for one to respect his parents: “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you” (Exodus 20:12). Elsewhere, the Law stated: “Cursed is he who dishonors his father and mother” (Deuteronomy 27:16). The one who curses his father and mother will be cursed himself. The phrase, “His lamp will go out in time of darkness,” is in contrast with the reward of honoring one’s parents: “That your days may be prolonged” (Exodus 20:12). There are blessings for honoring one’s parents and negative consequences for failing to do so. The wise man says in another passage: “For there will be no future [reward, KJV] for the evil man; the lamp of the wicked will be put out” (24:20). This is the fate of one who uses his speech to curse his parents.
“If you have been foolish in exalting yourself or if you have plotted evil, put your hand on your mouth. For the churning of milk produces butter, and pressing the nose brings forth blood; so the churning of anger produces strife” (30:32-33).
Another common sin of the tongue is boasting. Here at the end of the chapter attributed to Agur (30:1), we are warned against boasting. Evil, arrogant, and hurtful words only lead to strife. The psalmist wrote: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1). Yet the arrogant man who stirs up strife does not get to enjoy this blessing. His words create and deepen the division that exists among his brethren.
