Ecclesiastes 10:12

The words of a wise man’s mouth, are pleasant,—but, the lips of a dullard, will swallow him up:

The Emphasised Bible by J. B. Rotherham

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 will bite, unless he is charmed, then there is nothing better for him that owneth a tongue.

13The beginning of the words of his mouth, is folly,—but, the latter end of his speech, is mischievous madness.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 10

Cross References

2 Samuel 1:16And David said unto him, Thy blood, be upon thine own head,—for, thine own mouth, hath testified against thee, saying, I myself, put to death the Anointed of Yahweh.

Job 4:3Lo! thou hast admonished many, and, slack hands, hast thou been wont to uphold:

Psalms 37:30The mouth of a righteous man, softly uttereth wisdom, and, his tongue, speaketh justice:

Psalms 64:8When they were to have ruined another, their tongue smote themselves, All who observe them take flight.

Psalms 140:9As for the head of them who surround me, Let the mischief of their lips cover them:

Proverbs 10:10He that winketh with the eye, causeth sorrow, and, he that is foolish with his lips, shall be thrust aside.

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 →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Ecclesiastes 10:12