Ecclesiastes 10:12 - Exposition

The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious ; literally, are grace ; i.e. they net only are pleasing in form and manner, but they conciliate favor, produce approbation and good will, convince and, what is more, persuade. So of our blessed Lord it was said, "All bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words ( τοῖς λόγοις τῆς χάριτος ) which proceeded out of his mouth" ( Luke 4:22 ; cutup. Psalms 45:2 ). In distinction from the unready man, who, like the snake-charmer in the preceding verse, suffers-by reason of his untimely silence, the wise man uses his speech opportunely and to good purpose. (A different result is given in Ecclesiastes 9:11 .) But the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. This is a stronger ex-prosaic, than "ruin" or "destroy." Speaking without due forethought, he compromises himself] says what he has shamefully to withdraw, and brings punishment on his own head (cutup. Proverbs 10:8 , Proverbs 10:21 ; Proverbs 18:7 ).

ῥῆμα παρὰ καιρὸν ῥιφθὲν ἀνατρέπει βίον .

"Untimely speech has ruined many a life."