21 The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction. 22 Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly. 23 The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
Proverbs 16:21–23
Semantically similar passages
Proverbs 15:1–3
1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly. 3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.
Proverbs 15:6–8
6 The house of the righteous has great treasure, but the income of the wicked is trouble. 7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the hearts of fools. 8 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.
Proverbs 15:13–15
13 A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit. 14 A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. 15 All the days of the oppressed are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
Sirach 4:23–25
23 Don’t refrain from speaking when it is for safety. Don’t hide your wisdom for the sake of seeming fair. (WEB) 24 For wisdom will be known by speech, and instruction by the word of the tongue. (WEB) 25 Don’t speak against the truth and be shamed for your ignorance. (WEB)
Sirach 3:28–30
28 The calamity of the proud has no healing, for a weed of wickedness has taken root in him. (WEB) 29 The heart of the prudent will understand a proverb. A wise man desires the ear of a listener. (WEB) 30 Water will quench a flaming fire; almsgiving will make atonement for sins. (WEB)
Ecclesiastes 10:11–13
11 If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer. 12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him. 13 The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness.
Proverbs 18:14–16
14 The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit? 15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out. 16 A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.
Proverbs 10:7–9
7 The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. 8 A wise heart will receive commandments, but foolish lips will come to ruin. 9 He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.
Search the collection All books and codes Translations and sources