Proverbs 17:28
Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is considered wise. When he shuts his lips, he is prudent.
A Conservative Version
In The King James Version
In Context
27He who spares his words has knowledge, and he who is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
Cross References
Job 13:5O that ye would altogether be silent! And it would be your wisdom.
Proverbs 15:2The tongue of the wise utters knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours out folly.
Ecclesiastes 10:3Yea also, when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to everyone [that] he is a fool.
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 17:28
27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. 28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. Two ways a man may show himself to be a wise man:—1. By the good temper, the sweetness and the sedateness, of his mind: A man of understanding is of an excellent spirit, a precious spirit (so the word is); he is one that looks well to his spirit, that it be as it should be, and so keeps it in… Read the whole commentary →