Speaking: Folly In

If only you would remain silent; for that would be your wisdom!

Is there no end to your long-winded speeches? What provokes you to continue testifying?

I could also speak like you if you were in my place; I could heap up words against you and shake my head at you.

“Who is this who obscures My counsel by words without knowledge?

The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of the fool invites destruction.

A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly.

He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.

The proud speech of a fool brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.

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

The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the hearts of fools.

A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

A 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.

He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him.

Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him.

Like lame legs hanging limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.

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

A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back.

Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Do not slander a servant to his master, or he will curse you, and you will bear the guilt.

As a dream comes through many cares, so the speech of a fool comes with many words.

For as many dreams bring futility, so do many words. Therefore, fear God.

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

Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him?

But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.

For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving.