Ecclesiastes 10:12 “The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool c…”

Ecclesiastes 10:12

The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

World English Bible

The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips.

American Standard Version

The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

Geneva Bible 1599

The words of ye mouth of a wise man haue grace: but the lippes of a foole deuoure himselfe.

Darby Translation

The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool swallow up himself.

Young's Literal Translation

Words of the mouth of the wise [are] gracious, And the lips of a fool swallow him up.

Bible in Basic English

The words of a wise man's mouth are sweet to all, but the lips of a foolish man are his destruction.

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Cross references

“words”

Colossians 4:6 Luke 4:22 Proverbs 15:2 Ephesians 4:29 Proverbs 12:18 Proverbs 15:23

Colossians 4:6 · BSB

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Luke 4:22 · BSB

All spoke well of Him and marveled at the gracious words that came from His lips. “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?” they asked.

Proverbs 15:2 · BSB

The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.

Ephesians 4:29 · BSB

Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.

Proverbs 12:18 · BSB

Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 15:23 · BSB

A man takes joy in a fitting reply— and how good is a timely word!

“but”

Proverbs 18:6–8 Proverbs 26:9 Luke 19:22 2 Samuel 1:16 1 Kings 20:40–42 Psalm 64:8

Proverbs 18:6–8 · BSB

A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.

Proverbs 26:9 · BSB

Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.

Luke 19:22 · BSB

His master replied, ‘You wicked servant, I will judge you by your own words. So you knew that I am a harsh man, withdrawing what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow?

2 Samuel 1:16 · BSB

For David had said to the Amalekite, “Your blood be on your own head because your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I killed the LORD’s anointed.’”

1 Kings 20:40–42 · BSB

But while your servant was busy here and there, the man disappeared.” And the king of Israel said to him, “So shall your judgment be; you have pronounced it on yourself.”

Psalm 64:8 · BSB

They will be made to stumble, their own tongues turned against them. All who see will shake their heads.

Also

Proverbs 22:11

Proverbs 22:11 · BSB

He who loves a pure heart and gracious lips will have the king for a friend.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

11If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.

13The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness.

Read Ecclesiastes 10