The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
The words that come from a wise person's mouth are kind and helpful, but a fool's words will destroy him.
This verse is teaching that wise people speak with grace and kindness, while foolish people harm themselves with their own careless words.
📚 Historical Context
Ecclesiastes is a book in the Old Testament attributed to King Solomon, written during a time when ancient Israel experienced prosperity but grappled with the futility of human endeavors and the prevalence of folly. In this verse, the author draws from wisdom traditions of the Near East to highlight how wise speech brings favor, while foolish words lead to self-destruction, reflecting everyday observations in a society that valued prudent communication for social stability. This contrast serves as a practical guide in a world where poor decisions could result in personal and communal ruin.
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