Proverbs 10:14 - Wise men lay up knowledge, but the mouth of the foolish is near ruin.

Generated Verse: Proverbs 10:14

What does "Proverbs 10:14" mean?


Proverbs 10:14, "Wise men lay up knowledge, but the mouth of the foolish is near ruin," contrasts the behavior and consequences of wise and foolish individuals. Here's a breakdown:

"Wise men lay up knowledge": This means that wise people actively seek knowledge, learn from their experiences, and store this information for future use. They understand the value of wisdom and learning, and they accumulate it like a valuable treasure. They are thoughtful and consider what they learn.
"but the mouth of the foolish is near ruin": This indicates that foolish people speak carelessly, without thinking, and often say things that lead to their downfall. Their words can cause problems for themselves and others. "Near ruin" suggests that their reckless speech puts them in constant danger of trouble, disgrace, or even disaster. It implies that their foolish talk will eventually catch up to them and have negative consequences.

In essence, the verse highlights that:

Wisdom is built through knowledge and careful consideration.
Foolishness is often manifested through reckless and unguarded speech.
The consequences of wisdom are positive and constructive, while the consequences of foolishness are destructive.

The verse serves as a warning to guard your words and to value knowledge and understanding.