Proverbs 15:2

2 The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.

Proverbs 15:2 in Other Translations

KJV
2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
ESV
2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
NLT
2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.
MSG
2 Knowledge flows like spring water from the wise; fools are leaky faucets, dripping nonsense.
CSB
2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive, but the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness.

Proverbs 15:2 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 15:2

The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright
As the heart of a wise and good man is filled with useful knowledge, civil, moral, spiritual, and evangelical; so he takes care to communicate it, at proper times and seasons, in proper places, and to proper persons; adapting it to their case and circumstances, so as it may be for their comfort, edification, and instruction, and minister grace unto them; which is using knowledge "well", as the word F19 signifies: such an use of it recommends it, and makes it appear beautiful and lovely, decorates and adorns it. Thus every good man, out of the good treasure of knowledge in his heart, brings forth his good things seasonably, to the use of edifying; in like manner, ministers of the word, scribes well instructed in the things of God, bring forth both new and old, to the profit of those to whom they minister; so Christ, as man and Mediator, had the tongue of the learned, to speak a word in season to weary souls; but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness;
their knowledge, as they take it to be, but it is no other than folly; this they throw out in great plenty, in a hurry, without fear or wit; they "babble" it out, as the word F20 signifies, as water out of a fountain; their hearts are full of it, and their mouths proclaim it, ( Proverbs 12:23 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F19 (byjyh) "utitur bene", Castalio; "pulchre", Vatablus.
F20 (eyby) "effutit, ebullit, fundit", Vatablus; "eructat", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "ebullit", V. L. Tigurine version, Schultens; "scaturire facit", Michaelis.

Proverbs 15:2 In-Context

1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.
3 The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.
4 The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
5 A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.

Cross References 2

  • 1. ver 7; S Proverbs 10:31
  • 2. S Psalms 59:7; Ecclesiastes 10:12; Proverbs 12:23
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