Proverbs 10:20
The tongue of a righteous man is choice silver. The heart of the wicked is little worth.
A Conservative Version
In The King James Version
The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.
In Context
19Transgression is not lacking in the multitude of words, but he who refrains his lips does wisely.
21The lips of a righteous man feeds many, but the foolish die for lack of understanding.
Cross References
Genesis 8:21And LORD smelled the sweet savor. And LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake, for that the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I again any more smite everything
Proverbs 8:19My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold, and my revenue than choice silver.
Proverbs 15:4A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it is a breaking of the spirit.
Proverbs 20:15There is gold, and abundance of rubies, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
Proverbs 25:11A word fitly spoken is apples of gold in a network of silver.
Matthew 12:34Ye offspring of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 10:20
19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. We are here admonished concerning the government of the tongue, that necessary duty of a Christian. 1. It is good to say little, because in the multitude of words there wanteth not sin, or sin doth not cease. Usually, those that speak much speak much amiss, and among many words there cannot but be many idle words, which they must shortly give an account of. Those that love to hear themselves talk do not consider what work… Read the whole commentary →