Proverbs 14:3 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 14:3

See here, 1. A proud fool exposing himself. Where there is pride in the heart, and no wisdom in the head to suppress it, it commonly shows itself in the words: In the mouth there is pride, proud boasting, proud censuring, proud scorning, proud commanding and giving law; this is the rod, or branch, of pride; the word is used only here and Isa. 11:1. It grows from that root of bitterness which is in the heart; it is a rod from that stem. The root must be plucked up, or we cannot conquer this... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 14:3

In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride ,.... A proud tongue, or a tongue speaking proud and haughty things; with which foolish or wicked men smite others and wound and hurt their reputation and credit, and in the issue hurt themselves also; their tongue is not only a rod to others, but a scourge to themselves, or is the cause of evil coming upon them; such was the tongue of Pharaoh, as Jarchi on the place observes, Exodus 5:2 ; and of those the psalmist speaks of, Psalm 73:9 ;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 14:3

The mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride - The reproofs of such a person are ill-judged and ill-timed, and generally are conveyed in such language as renders them not only ineffectual, but displeasing, and even irritating. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:1-7

Traits of wisdom and folly I. FEMININE WISDOM . ( Proverbs 14:1 .) 1 . Its peculiar scope is the home. Women are physically and morally constructed with a view to the stationary life and settled pursuits of home. Its comfort, the strength of the race, the well being of society, are rooted, more than in any other human means, in the character, the principle, the love and truth of the wife and mother. 2 . The absence of it is one of the commonest causes of domestic misery.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:3

In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride. חֹטֶר ( choter ) , "rod," or "shoot," is found also in Isaiah 11:1 . From the mouth of the arrogant fool proceeds a growth of vaunting and conceit, accompanied with insolence towards others, for which he is often chastised. So the tongue is compared to a sword ( e.g. Psalms 57:4 ; Psalms 64:3 ; Jeremiah 18:18 ; Revelation 1:16 . St. Gregory ('Mor. in Job.,' 24) applies this sentence to haughty preachers, who are anxious to... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 14:3

Proverbs 14:3. In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride “Fools often bring upon themselves, by their ungoverned tongues, the correction due to their crimes,” and especially to their pride and arrogance; but the lips of the wise shall preserve them From that rod. Wise men are careful of their words, that they may not offend, much more that they may not abuse, the meanest person, and hereby they remain in safety. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 14:1-35

Hidden feelings and motives (14:1-35)Wisdom builds, but folly destroys. People’s actions reveal their attitude to God (14:1-2). The wisdom of their speech and their commitment to hard work are among the things that determine whether they progress or come to ruin (3-5). Those who think they know everything can never become truly wise and therefore can never have right discernment in the moral issues of life (6-8).Good people may prosper and evil people may suffer loss, but outward appearances do... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 14:3

mouth. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for what is spoken by it. of pride. Genitive of Possession, "pride's sceptre". See App-17 (3). On the one side, we have "pride", prating, and punishment; on the other side, prudence, piety, and preservation. lips. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for what is spoken by them. preserve = guard. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 14:3

"In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for his pride; But the lips of the wise shall preserve them."We have already had many proverbs which are the equivalent of this; and there are many more. "By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned" (Matthew 12:37). Toy's translation is: "In the mouth of a fool is a sprig of his pride, but the lips of the wise preserve them."[3] read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 14:3

Proverbs 14:3. In the mouth of the foolish— Fools often bring upon themselves, by their ungoverned tongues, the correction due to their crimes, their pride, and arrogance. read more