Proverbs 10:21
The lips of the upright man give food to men, but the foolish come to death for need of sense.
Bible in Basic English
In The King James Version
The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
In Context
20The tongue of the upright man is like tested silver: the heart of the evil-doer is of little value.
22The blessing of the Lord gives wealth: hard work makes it no greater.
Cross References
Job 23:12I have never gone against the orders of his lips; the words of his mouth have been stored up in my heart.
Psalms 37:30The mouth of the good man says words of wisdom; the talk of his tongue is of righteousness.
Proverbs 1:31So the fruit of their way will be their food, and with the designs of their hearts they will be made full.
Proverbs 5:2So that you may be ruled by a wise purpose, and your lips may keep knowledge.
Proverbs 5:23He will come to his end for need of teaching; he is so foolish that he will go wandering from the right way.
Proverbs 15:4A comforting tongue is a tree of life, but a twisted tongue is a crushing of the spirit.
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 10:21-22
20 The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth. 21 The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom. We are here taught how to value men, not by their wealth and preferment in the world, but by their virtue. I. Good men are good for something. Though they may be poor and low in the world, and may not have power and riches to do good with, yet, as long as they have a mouth to speak, that will make them valuable and useful, and upon that account we must… Read the whole commentary →