Proverbs 14:23 - Exposition

In all labour there is profit. All honest industry has a reward, and all care and pain borne for a good object bring comfort and content (comp. Proverbs 10:22 ). So the Greek distich says—

ἅπαντα τὰ καλὰ τοῦ πονοῦντος γίγνεται

"To him who labours all fair things belong."

In contrast to the diligent are those who talk much and do nothing. But the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury ( Proverbs 21:5 ). Those who work much get profit; those who talk much and do little come to want. So in spiritual matters Christ teaches that they who think that prayer is heard for much speaking are mistaken; and he adds, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven" ( Matthew 6:7 ; Matthew 7:21 ). Septuagint, "In every one who taketh thought ( μεριμνῶντι ) there is abundance; he who liveth pleasantly and without pain shall be in want." Cato, 'Dist.,' 1.10—

" Contra verbosos noli contendere verbis:

Sermo datus cunctis, animi sapientia paucis ."

"Against the wordy strive not thou in words;

Converse with all, but to the favoured few

Impart thy heart's deep wisdom."

Oriental proverbs: "Sweet words, empty bands;" "To speak of honey will not make the mouth sweet;" "We do not cook rice by babbling" (Lane). Turkish, "The language of actions is more eloquent than the language of words."