"The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness."
Proverbs 15:2
“The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright:”
Using knowledge well is contrasted here with “pouring out foolishness.” The wise man is gaining a handle on what and how to speak what he knows. Notice that knowledge is to be used, not stored up and locked away. We don’t study and learn just to satisfy our own itches, but we use the knowledge to help others. But our knowledge must be handled correctly.
“This is very difficult to know: – when to speak, and when to be silent; what to speak, and what to leave unspoken; the manner that is best and most suitable to the occasion, the subject, the circumstances, and the persons. All these are difficulties, often even to the wisest men. Even wise counsel may be foolishly given”1 (Clarke).
We must turn to the Lord and His Word to learn how to speak and share what He has let us learn wisely.
“But the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.”
The poor old fool does what he does best, he opens his mouth and lets the foolishness flow. “Poureth out” in the Hebrew text means,
“to flow, pour out, pour, gush forth, spring, bubble up, ferment”2 (BDB).
What a picture! Words are gushing out of the fool’s mouth with no control, he just lets it go, letting it rip! No care for who might be hit or injured by his careless words, the fool makes his talk spew, unchecked.
“A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness” (Proverbs 12:23).
“A wicked heart by the tongue becomes very hurtful; for the mouth of fools belches out foolishness, which is very offensive; and the corrupt communication which proceeds from an evil treasure within (the filthiness, and foolish talking, and jesting) corrupts the good manners of some and debauches them, and grieves the good hearts of others and disturbs them”3 (Henry).
One thing we should learn from this, “using knowledge aright” means it is controlled speech, well thought through, and designed for the benefit of the hearers.
Believers let’s think before we speak.
1. Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.
2. Brown, Driver, Briggs. Brown-Driver-Briggs’ Hebrew Definitions, the electronic version in eSword.
3. Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible, the electronic version in eSword.