Proverbs 10:8 - Exposition

Will receive commandments. The wise in heart is not proud or conceited: he accepts the Divine Law with all its directions (observe the plural "commandments"), and is not above learning from others; at the same time, he makes no display of his wisdom. The fool of lips ( Proverbs 10:10 ); one who is always exposing his folly. The literal antithesis is better shown by rendering "the solid in heart," and "the loose in lips." So Wordsworth. The Vulgate translates, "The fool is chastised by his lips;" i.e. the folly which he has uttered falls back upon him, and causes him to suffer punishment. The LXX . renders the last clause, "He who is given to prating ( ἄστεγος χείλεσι ), walking tortuously, shall be tripped up."