Proverbs 13 · Verse 3

Proverbs 13:3

He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
Proverbs 13:3, King James Version

Proverbs 13:3 in other translations

BSBHe who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.
WEBHe who guards his mouth guards his soul. One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
ASVHe that guardeth his mouth keepeth his life; But he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
YLTWhoso is keeping his mouth, is keeping his soul, Whoso is opening wide his lips--ruin to him!
DARBYHe that guardeth his mouth keepeth his soul; destruction shall be to him that openeth wide his lips.
BBEHe who keeps a watch on his mouth keeps his life; but he whose lips are open wide will have destruction.
WebsterHe that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

What does Proverbs 13:3 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
3. He ... mouth ... life--because evil speeches may provoke violence from others. he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction--On last clause, compare Pr 10:14.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life - How often have the foolish, headstrong, and wicked, forfeited their lives by the treasonable or blasphemous words they have spoken! The government of the tongue is a rare but useful talent. But he that openeth wide his lips - He that puts no bounds to his loquacity, speaks on every subject, and gives his judgment and opinion on every matter. It has often been remarked that God has, given us two Eyes, that we may See much; two Ears, that we may Hear much; but has given us but One tongue, and that fenced in with teeth, to indicate that though we hear and see much, we should speak but little.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
He that thinks before he speaks, that suppresses evil if he have thought it, keeps his soul from a great deal both of guilt and grief. Many a one is ruined by an ungoverned tongue.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Proverbs 13:3 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

נֹצֵ֣רno.Tzer[one who] guardsH5341
פִּ֭יוpivmouth hisH6310
שֹׁמֵ֣רsho.Mer[is] protectingH8104
נַפְשׁ֑וֹnaf.Sholife hisH5315
פֹּשֵׂ֥קpo.Sek[one who] opensH6589
שְׂ֝פָתָ֗יוSe.fa.Tavlips hisH8193
מְחִתָּה\־me.chi.tah-ruinH4288
לֽוֹ\׃lo[belongs] to him

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Proverbs 13:3

  • Proverbs 21:23

    Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

  • Proverbs 18:21

    Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

  • Proverbs 18:7

    A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

  • James 3:2-12

    For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! …

  • Matthew 12:36-37

    But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

  • Psalms 39:1

    To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.

  • Proverbs 10:19

    In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

  • Proverbs 20:19

    He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

  • James 1:26

    If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.

  • Proverbs 12:13

    The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
10:19; 12:13; 21:23; Ps 39:1; Mt 12:36,37; Jas 1:26; 3:2-12

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Proverbs 13:2

    A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.

  • Proverbs 13:3

    He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

  • Proverbs 13:4

    The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

Read all of Proverbs 13

Proverbs 13:3 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		El que guarda su boca guarda su alma: mas el que mucho abre sus labios tendrá calamidad.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Qui surveille sa bouche garde son âme; la ruine est pour celui qui ouvre ses lèvres toutes grandes.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Wer seinen Mund bewahrt, behütet seine Seele; wer seine Lippen aufreißt, dem wirds zum Untergang.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Qui custodit os suum custodit animam suam; qui autem inconsideratus est ad loquendum, sentiet mala.