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. 24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Proverbs 16:22–24
Semantically similar passages
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 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 18:3–5
3 With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace. 4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. 5 Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.
Proverbs 13:13–15
13 He who despises instruction will pay the penalty, but the one who respects a command will be rewarded. 14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning one from the snares of death. 15 Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the faithless is difficult.
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.
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.
Psalms 37:29–31
29 The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever. 30 The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. 31 The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not falter.
Proverbs 18:20–22
20 From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied. 21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. 22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.
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