The chapter opens with the great moment of our words in a variety of ways, under the controlling sense of Jehovah's eyes, or indifference to Him.
“A soft answer turneth away fury; but a grievous word stirreth up anger.
The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright; but the mouth of fools sputtereth out folly.
In every place [are] the eyes of Jehovah, keeping watch upon the evil and the good.
The healing of the tongue [is] a tree of life; but perverseness therein [is] a breaking of the spirit.
A fool despiseth his father's correction; but he that regardeth reproof becometh prudent.
In the house of a righteous one [is] much treasure; but in the revenues of a wicked one is trouble.
The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, but not so the heart of the foolish” (vers. 1-7).
In the first case fury is presupposed. As this dishonors God and misbecomes man, a soft answer disarms it. On the contrary a grievous or mortifying word excites anger. Christ is our example, into whose lips grace was poured, and, when reviled, He reviled not again. Yet who so withering to the proud and hypocritical (Matt. 23)? Who so unsparing even of an apostle when a stumblingblock (Matt. 16:2323But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savorest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. (Matthew 16:23))?
Next, wisdom is requisite for the tongue in order to use knowledge aright or make it acceptable; whereas what can be expected from the foolish but to sputter out folly? Such is the contemptuous rebuke. They should escape censure if they held their peace.
But there is a far mightier and worthier principle to guide wise or foolish, the realizing of Jehovah's eyes, which without an effort act on every place, beholding the bad and the good.
How cheering to those that are wise! How solemn for the foolish evil-doer!
Then benignity, or healing, of the tongue, is a fruitful source in a world of death. How many pitfalls does it not save from, and rough places smooth? But perversity or crookedness in the tongue is provocative of griefs and wounds without end. How truly a breaking of the spirit!
God ordered the parental relationship to regulate the family; and as a father is responsible to instruct his children, so is he a fool who ignores his responsibility and despises that instruction. To regard reproof, though painful to self-love, is to get prudence. It is not confined to a father's reproof, and where incurred, to heed it is a real gain morally.
A righteous man secures much treasure, not in himself alone, but in his house; for it brings far better than much of this world's goods. A just sense and carrying out of relationship to God and man is the righteousness here intended, and never fails of blessing, even in the midst of trials however keen. On the other hand what can the revenue of a wicked man be but trouble that disturbs and denies godly order and comfort?
Again, the lips of the wise not only exhibit and use knowledge but disperse it in a world where it is as needed as rare. What a blessing to others Far beyond the lavish giving of silver and gold, which might bring with it a curse. But the heart of the foolish, to say nothing of his lips, has nothing of the sort to bestow.”