Proverbs 16:21

The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. THE WISE IN HEART SHALL BE CALLED PRUDENT (INTELLIGENT; HEBREW, NABON): AND THE SWEETNESS OF THE LIPS INCREASETH LEARNING - as well for himself (inasmuch as in teaching, one is taught one's self, and begins much more exactly to know the subject under discussion) as also for the hearer's good. 'The wise in heart shall be called intelligent,' when 'the sweetness of his lips increaseth the learning' of those around him. As he who is "wise in heart" gets great honour to himself, so "sweetness of the lips" brings great gain to the hearers. The end of facility in speech, whereby one speaketh each thing in its proper place and time () is not to glorify one's self, but to inform others of what is their interest to know. He who will be faithful in using the talent comm...

The words point to the conditions of all true growth in wisdom; and he who has the gift of uttering it in winning speech increases it in himself and others....

EXPOSITION PROVERBS 16:1 These are specially religions maxims, and they all contain the name Jehovah. PROVERBS 16:1 The Authorized Version makes one sentence of this verse without any contrast or antithesis. This is plainly wrong, there being intended a contrast between the thought of the heart and the well ordered speech. It is better translated, _The plans of the heart are man_'_s_:_ but the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah. _Men make plans, arrange speeches, muster arguments, in the mind; but to put these into proper, persuasive words is a gift of God. "Our sufficiency is of God" (2 Corinthians 3:5). In the case of

THE WISE IN HEART SHALL BE CALLED PRUDENT,.... He that has true wisdom in the inward part; who knows his heart and the haughtiness of it; who has the fear of God in it, which is the beginning of wisdom; who is wise unto salvation, not only knows the scheme of it, but is experimentally acquainted with it; who has not head knowledge and wisdom only, but heart knowledge and wisdom, and behaves wisely in his life and conversation; who is so wise and endued with knowledge, as, out of a good conversation, to show his works with meekness of wisdom; such a man is called, reckoned, accounted, and spoken well of, as a prudent man among all wise and knowing persons; AND THE SWEETNESS OF THE LIPS INCREASETH LEARNING; who, besides a wise heart and a knowing head, have the gift of elocution; can deliver themselves in a flowing easy style; can clothe their thoughts with proper words, and convey their...

CHAPTER 16 IN THE LIGHT OF THE LORD The name Jehovah (LORD) appears eleven times in this chapter of Proverbs. The Lord has the final word, for to man belong the preparations (or plans) of the heart; but from the LORD is the answer of the tongue. It is the same thought as in our English proverb--“Man proposes--God disposes.” Man loves to justify himself, his ways are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits; He is the judge of ways and motives. Our works are to be committed (literal: rolled upon) unto the LORD, then establishment and blessing will follow. It is strange that these three verses were omitted in the Septuagint version of the Old Testament. The LORD hath made all things for Himself, yea, even the wicked for the day of evil Proverbs 16:4. Much error has been taught in connection with this verse. Some have taught that God made some wicked. It is not said

PROVERBS 16. The special feature is a group of aphorisms (Proverbs 16:10) relating to kings. The sentiments seem rather to reflect the picture of the ideal king than to indicate any particular period. The metaphors employed and the character depicted suggest a parallel with the ideal king of Psalms 72. PROVERBS 16:4. The lit. rendering of Proverbs 16:4 a is Yahweh has made every work for its answer_ i.e._ the nexus of cause and effect seen in the moral government of the world is His work, a kind of prearranged harmony. The supreme instance is the case of the wicked, their answer is the day of evil. We have an assertion of the righteousness of Yahweh's government rather than of their predestinati

HEART. Put by Figure of speech _Metonymy_ (of Subject), App-6, for understanding or discernment....

"He who is wise will gain respect; but if he should also possess a pleasant manner of imparting his wisdom, he will be a more efficient teacher," _Rel. Tr. Soc. Commentary_....

THE WISE IN HEART SHALL BE CALLED PRUDENT— "Profoundness of wisdom," says Lord Bacon, "may help men to fame and admiration; but it is eloquence which prevails in business and active life....

TEXT Proverbs 16:12-22 12. It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; For the throne is established by righteousness. 13. Righteous lips are the delight of kings; And they love him that speaketh right. 14. The wrath of a king is as messengers of death; But a wise man will pacify it. 15. In the light of the king's countenance is life; And his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain. 16. How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! Yea, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver. 17. The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: He that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. 18. Pride goeth before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. 19. Better it is to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, Than to divid