Proverbs 10:20
The tongue of the just is as choice silver: but the heart of the wicked is nothing worth.
Douay-Rheims 1899
In The King James Version
The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.
In Context
19In the multitude of words there shall not want sin: but he that refraineth his lips is most wise.
21The lips of the just teach many: but they that are ignorant, shall die in the want of understanding.
Cross References
Genesis 8:21And the Lord smelled a sweet savour, and said: I will no more curse the earth for the sake of man: for the imagination and thought of man's heart are prone to evil from his youth: therefore I will no more destroy every living soul as I have done.
Proverbs 8:19For my fruit is better than gold and the precious stone, and my blossoms than choice silver.
Proverbs 15:4A peaceable tongue is a tree of life: but that which is immoderate, shall crush the spirit.
Proverbs 20:15There is gold, and a multitude of jewels: but the lips of knowledge are a precious vessel.
Proverbs 25:11To speak a word in due time, is like apples of gold on beds of silver.
Matthew 12:34O generation of vipers, how can you speak good things, whereas you are evil? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
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 →