Selected Proverbs Regarding the Tongue
10:11 – The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
10:18 – The one who conceals hatred has lying lips,
and whoever utters slander is a fool.
10:19 – When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
10:20 – The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth.
10: 21 – The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense.
10:31 – The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
10:32 – The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,
but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.
11: 11 – By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.
11:12 – Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense,
but a man of understanding remains silent.
11:13 – Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets,
but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
12:6 – The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
but the mouth of the upright delivers them.
12:22 – Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
but those who act faithfully are his delight.
13:3 – Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life;
he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
15:1 – A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
15:7 – The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.
16:24 – Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
17:9 – Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.
17:27 – Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
17:28 – Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent
18:2 – A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.
18:13 – If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.
21:6 – The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.
21:23 – Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
24:26 – Whoever gives an honest answer kisses the lips.
26:20 – For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
27:2 – Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.
Scripture quotations taken from the English Standard version.
