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Proverbs 18:6
A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

Proverbs 21:24
Proudand haughty scorneris his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

Proverbs 22:8
He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.

but

Proverbs 12:6
The words of the wickedare to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

Romans 10:9,10
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved…

Revelation 3:10
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

but the lips of the wise protect them
In contrast, the wise are safeguarded by their prudent speech. Wisdom in the biblical sense is not merely intellectual but deeply connected to a reverence for God and understanding of His ways, as seen inProverbs 9:10, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom." The wise use their words carefully, avoiding the pitfalls that ensnare the foolish. This protection is not just from physical harm but also from social and spiritual consequences. The wisdom literature often emphasizes the power of words, as inProverbs 18:21, "The tongue has the power of life and death." The wise, therefore, are depicted as those who navigate life skillfully, aligning their speech with divine principles, which ultimately shields them from harm.

“The proud speech of a fool” (Proverbs 14:3a) pictures a person who loves to hear himself talk, speaks hastily, and refuses correction. Scripture consistently ties foolishness to arrogant, reckless words:

•Proverbs 18:6–7 reminds us that “A fool’s lips bring strife, and his mouth invites a beating; a fool’s mouth is his ruin.”

•Proverbs 10:8 contrasts the “babbling fool” with the humble listener.

•James 3:5–6 warns that an untamed tongue “sets the whole course of one’s life on fire.”

Such words reveal a heart that resists God’s wisdom and despises the counsel of others.

That same reckless speech “brings a rod to his back” (14:3b). In Solomon’s day, a physical rod was applied to correct stubborn rebellion (Proverbs 10:13; 26:3;Deuteronomy 25:2). While literal corporal punishment still occurs in some settings, the principle extends further:

• Social backlash—relationships fracture when cutting words wound others (Proverbs 17:14).

• Legal consequences—slander and false testimony invite lawsuits and penalties (Deuteronomy 19:16–19).

• Divine discipline—God opposes the proud (James 4:6) and will chasten believers who refuse to bridle their tongues (Hebrews 12:6).

Sinful speech always boomerangs; the fool’s own words carve the path to his painful correction.

In sharp contrast, “the lips of the wise protect them” (14:3c). Wisdom shows itself in restrained, truthful, gracious talk:

•Proverbs 13:3 affirms, “He who guards his mouth protects his life.”

•Proverbs 15:1 illustrates how “A gentle answer turns away wrath,” diffusing conflict before it escalates.

•Proverbs 12:6 notes that “the speech of the upright rescues them,” sparing the wise from traps their enemies set.

•Psalm 34:13 calls us to “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceit.”

Because their hearts submit to God, the wise use words to build up, clarify, and heal. That godly communication shields them from avoidable trouble and, ultimately, from God’s displeasure.

Proverbs 14:3 draws a vivid line: arrogant words expose a fool and invite painful discipline, while measured, godly speech shields the wise from harm. Taming the tongue is not peripheral; it is proof that one walks in reverent submission to the Lord who “weighs the spirits” (Proverbs 16:2). The verse calls every believer to reject prideful chatter and to let the wisdom of God shape every word.

But the lips of the wise shall preserve them(the wise) from the difficulties into which the foolish come by their rash talk.