The Meaning of Proverbs 15:2 Explained

Proverbs 15:2

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

YLT: The tongue of the wise maketh knowledge good, And the mouth of fools uttereth folly.

Darby: The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright; but the mouth of the foolish poureth out folly.

ASV: The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright; But the mouth of fools poureth out folly.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Proverbs 15:2 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The contrast here is not between the quantity of words that the wise and the fool utter. It is the fact that the wise man considers what he says before he says it, but the fool does not. Consequently what the wise says is "acceptable" (lit. "good") and what the fool says is "folly" (unwise). This proverb deals with responsible speech.
"When you summarize what Proverbs teaches about human speech, you end up with four important propositions: (1) speech is an awesome gift from God; (2) speech can be used to do good; (3) speech can be used to do evil; and, (4) only God can help us use speech to do good." [1]

Context Summary

Proverbs 15:1-17 - Kind Words And Glad Hearts
A soft answer; the tongue of the wise; a wholesome tongue; the lips of the wise; the prayer of the upright-these keywords touch one of the greatest departments of human influence. If we can rule our speech, or at least hand over our tongue and lips to the keeping of God's Spirit, what a world of trouble we should save ourselves and others! And God would keep watch over us and for us. See Proverbs 15:3, r.v.
Notice, also, the inducements to a right and holy life! Treasure in the house; answered prayer; the love of God; a cheerful heart; a contented mind-such are some of the by-products and experiences of those whose life is "hid with Christ in God." When we put first things in the first place, all else is added.
What a comfort it is that God searcheth our hearts and knoweth them altogether! Yes, and even when He chastens and corrects us, it is well. There is no bliss comparable to that of the forgiven sinner, who is called into "the secret place of the Most High." [source]

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 15

1  A gentle answer turns away wrath

What do the individual words in Proverbs 15:2 mean?

The tongue of the wise uses rightly knowledge but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness
לְשׁ֣וֹן חֲ֭כָמִים תֵּיטִ֣יב דָּ֑עַת וּפִ֥י כְ֝סִילִ֗ים יַבִּ֥יעַ אִוֶּֽלֶת

לְשׁ֣וֹן  The  tongue 
Parse: Noun, common singular construct
Root: לָשֹׁון  
Sense: tongue.
חֲ֭כָמִים  of  the  wise 
Parse: Adjective, masculine plural
Root: חָכָם  
Sense: wise, wise (man).
תֵּיטִ֣יב  uses  rightly 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, third person feminine singular
Root: יָטַב  
Sense: to be good, be pleasing, be well, be glad.
דָּ֑עַת  knowledge 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: דַּעַת 
Sense: knowledge.
וּפִ֥י  but  the  mouth 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: פֶּה  
Sense: mouth.
כְ֝סִילִ֗ים  of  fools 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: כְּסִיל  
Sense: fool, stupid fellow, dullard, simpleton, arrogant one.
יַבִּ֥יעַ  pours  forth 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: נָבַע  
Sense: to flow, pour out, pour, gush forth, spring, bubble up, ferment.
אִוֶּֽלֶת  foolishness 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: אִוֶּלֶת  
Sense: foolishness, folly.