Ecclesiastes 10:12
The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool are his destruction.
Noyes Bible
In The King James Version
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
In Context
11If a serpent bite before he is charmed, then there is no advantage to the charmer.
13The beginning of the words of his mouth is folly, and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
Cross References
Job 4:3Behold, thou hast admonished many; Thou hast strengthened feeble hands;
Psalms 37:30The mouth of the righteous uttereth wisdom, And his tongue speaketh what is right.
Psalms 64:8Thus their own tongues shall bring them down; All who see them will flee away.
Psalms 140:9As for the heads of those who encompass me, Let the mischief of their own lips cover them!
Proverbs 10:10He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow; And a foolish talker falleth headlong.
Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 10:5-12
Mutual Duties of Princes and Subjects. 4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences. 5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler: 6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place. 7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth. 8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh a hedge, a serpent shall bite him. 9 Whoso removeth stones… Read the whole commentary →