Proverbs 18:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating.

NIV: The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating.

NASB: A fool’s lips bring strife, And his mouth invites beatings.

CSB: A fool's lips lead to strife, and his mouth provokes a beating.

NLT: Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating.

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

NKJV: A fool’s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calls for blows.

When warning someone about speaking offensive, challenging insults, a modern English expression is often used: "don't let your mouth write checks your body can't cash." This proverb presents the same basic idea. A fool who can't control their impulsive words (Proverbs 10:19; 15:1–4) is liable to provoke a beating. That doesn't justify the person who retaliates (Romans 12:19). Yet common sense says that it's better to be quiet and avoid a conflict than to make a bad situation worse with loose lips (Proverbs 17:14, 28). Many fist-fights—or worse—have been triggered by thoughtless, unnecessary verbal abuse.

The apostle James warned that "the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness…a restless evil, full of deadly poison" (James 3:6, 8). In contrast, a wise man knows how to control his tongue and diffuse a potentially explosive situation. The apostle Peter wisely counseled believers to "put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander" (1 Peter 2:1).

This proverb deals mostly with the immediate consequences of brash talk. The following piece of wisdom notes that foolishness—in the form of uncontrolled speech—can lead to long-term or even eternal consequences (Proverbs 18:7).

This segment of Solomon's wise sayings includes several well-known and often-repeated remarks. Among these are references to God's "name" as a place of safety, the connection between pride and catastrophe, the value of a godly spouse, and the intimate loyalty of a good friend. As in other parts of the book of Proverbs, these teachings are tied to warnings about the consequences of poor decisions.

Chapter 18 continues a long string of wise sayings attributed to Solomon. These began in chapter 10 and will continue through chapter 22. This section contains numerous references to fair-mindedness and seeking out truth from multiple sources. Diligent responsibility—in words, actions, and beliefs—is a notable emphasis in this segment.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.