Proverbs 15 · Verse 2

Proverbs 15:2

The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
Proverbs 15:2, King James Version

Proverbs 15:2 in other translations

BSBThe tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.
WEBThe tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools gush out folly.
ASVThe tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright; But the mouth of fools poureth out folly.
YLTThe tongue of the wise maketh knowledge good, And the mouth of fools uttereth folly.
DARBYThe tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright; but the mouth of the foolish poureth out folly.
BBEKnowledge is dropping from the tongue of the wise; but from the mouth of the foolish comes a stream of foolish words.
WebsterThe tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

What does Proverbs 15:2 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
2. useth ... aright--commends knowledge by its proper use. poureth out--utters abundantly (Pr 12:23), and so disgusts others.

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 2 Useth knowledge aright - This is very difficult to know: - when to speak, and when to be silent; what to speak, and what to leave unspoken; the manner that is best and most suitable to the occasion, the subject, the circumstances, and the persons. All these are difficulties, often even to the wisest men. Even wise counsel may be foolishly given.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
He that has knowledge, is to use it aright, for the good of others.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Proverbs 15:2 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.

לְשׁ֣וֹןle.Shon[the] tongue ofH3956
חֲ֭כָמִיםCha.kha.mimwise [people]H2450
תֵּיטִ֣יבtei.Tivit makes goodH3190
דָּ֑עַתDa.'atknowledgeH1847
וּפִ֥יu.Fiand [the] mouth ofH6310
כְ֝סִילִ֗יםkhe.si.LimfoolsH3684
יַבִּ֥יעַya.Bi.a'it pours forthH5042
אִוֶּֽלֶת\׃'i.Ve.letfoolishnessH200

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

Cross references for Proverbs 15:2

  • Proverbs 12:23

    A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

  • Proverbs 15:28

    The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

  • Proverbs 13:16

    Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.

  • Ecclesiastes 10:12-13

    The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.

  • Psalms 45:1

    To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves. My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

  • Proverbs 16:23

    The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

  • Isaiah 50:4

    The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.

  • Proverbs 15:23

    A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

  • Psalms 59:7

    Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?

  • Proverbs 25:11-12

    A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
tongue.
23,28; 12:23; 13:16; 16:23; 25:11,12; Ps 45:1; Ec 10:12,13; Isa 50:4
poureth. Heb. belcheth, or, bubbleth.
Ps 59:7

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

Context

  • Proverbs 15:1

    A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

  • Proverbs 15:2

    The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

  • Proverbs 15:3

    The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

Read all of Proverbs 15

Proverbs 15:2 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		La lengua de los sabios adornará la sabiduría: mas la boca de los necios hablará sandeces.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		La langue des sages fait valoir la connaissance, mais la bouche des sots fait jaillir la folie.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Die Zunge der Weisen spricht tüchtiges Wissen aus, aber der Mund der Toren sprudelt Narrheit.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Lingua sapientium ornat scientiam; os fatuorum ebullit stultitiam.