Proverbs by theme
Words
The tongue, lies, gossip, and the word in season.
- 4:24Put away deception from your mouth; keep your lips from perverse speech.
- 6:12-15A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth, winking his eyes, speaking with his feet, and pointing with his fingers. With deceit in his heart he devises evil; he continually sows discord. Therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly; in an instant he will be shattered beyond recovery.
- 10:6Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
- 10:10He who winks the eye causes grief, and foolish lips will come to ruin.
- 10:11The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
- 10:13Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment.
- 10:18The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.
- 10:19When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.
- 10:20The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked has little worth.
- 10:21The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of judgment.
- 10:31The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out.
- 10:32The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked is perverse.
- 11:9With his mouth the ungodly man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.
- 11:11By the blessing of the upright a city is built up, but by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.
- 11:12Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks judgment, but a man of understanding remains silent.
- 11:13A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.
- 12:6The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.
- 12:13An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech, but a righteous man escapes from trouble.
- 12:14By fruitful speech a man is filled with good things, and the work of his hands returns to him.
- 12:18Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
- 12:19Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
- 12:22Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.
- 12:23A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly.
- 12:25Anxiety weighs down the heart of a man, but a good word cheers it up.
- 13:2From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things, but the desire of the faithless is violence.
- 13:3He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.
- 13:5The righteous hate falsehood, but the wicked bring shame and disgrace.
- 13:17A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing.
- 14:3The proud speech of a fool brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.
- 15:2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.
- 15:4A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
- 15:7The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the hearts of fools.
- 15:23A man takes joy in a fitting reply—and how good is a timely word!
- 15:28The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.
- 15:30The light of the eyes cheers the heart, and good news nourishes the bones.
- 16:21The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.
- 16:23The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
- 16:24Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
- 16:27A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
- 16:28A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.
- 16:30He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.
- 17:4A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar gives ear to a destructive tongue.
- 17:7Eloquent words are unfit for a fool; how much worse are lying lips to a ruler!
- 17:20The one with a perverse heart finds no good, and he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble.
- 17:27A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit.
- 17:28Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue.
- 18:4The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
- 18:6-7A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating. A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
- 18:8The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.
- 18:20From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.
- 18:21Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
- 20:19He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips.
- 21:23He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.
- 24:26An honest answer given is like a kiss on the lips.
- 25:9-10Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence, lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your infamy never go away.
- 25:11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
- 25:12Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.
- 25:14Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given.
- 25:15Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
- 25:18Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.
- 25:23As the north wind brings forth rain, so a backbiting tongue brings angry looks.
- 26:2Like a fluttering sparrow or darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.
- 26:18-19Like a madman shooting firebrands and deadly arrows, so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”
- 26:20Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, a conflict ceases.
- 26:22The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.
- 26:23Like glaze covering an earthen vessel are burning lips and a wicked heart.
- 26:24-25A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart. When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart.
- 26:26Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
- 26:28A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.
- 28:23He who rebukes a man will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue.
- 29:5A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.
- 29:20Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
- 30:10Do not slander a servant to his master, or he will curse you, and you will bear the guilt.