Proverbs 10:20 - The tongue of the righteous is like choice silver. The heart of the wicked is of little worth.

Generated Verse: Proverbs 10:20

What does "Proverbs 10:20" mean?


Proverbs 10:20, "The tongue of the righteous is like choice silver. The heart of the wicked is of little worth," uses a powerful metaphor to contrast the value of righteous words and a wicked heart. Here's a breakdown of the meaning:

"The tongue of the righteous is like choice silver."
"Choice silver": Silver was a precious metal in ancient times, valued for its beauty, purity, and usefulness. "Choice silver" suggests the highest quality, most refined form of silver.
"The tongue of the righteous": This refers to the words spoken by a righteous person.
Meaning: This part of the verse implies that the words of a righteous person are valuable, pure, and beneficial. They are carefully chosen, wise, and have a positive impact on those who hear them. Their words are truthful, helpful, and edifying. They speak with integrity and good intentions. In essence, their words are a treasure.

"The heart of the wicked is of little worth."
"The heart of the wicked": In biblical terms, the heart represents the inner person – their thoughts, desires, intentions, and moral compass. The "wicked" are those who act contrary to God's will, often characterized by selfishness, greed, and a disregard for others.
"Of little worth": This means the heart of the wicked has little or no value. It's not precious or desirable.
Meaning: This part of the verse suggests that the inner being, the character, and the motivations of a wicked person are essentially worthless. Their thoughts and intentions are corrupt, and they lack genuine goodness or virtue. Their inner self is morally bankrupt.

In summary, the verse highlights a stark contrast:

Righteous people use their words wisely and beneficially, making their words precious and valuable to others.
Wicked people have corrupt hearts filled with wrong motives, making their inner being worthless.

The verse emphasizes the importance of both inner character and outward speech. Righteous living involves both a virtuous heart and the ability to communicate in a way that reflects that virtue. Conversely, a wicked heart renders all outward appearances ultimately meaningless.

The verse also suggests that one's words are a reflection of their inner self. Valuable words come from a valuable heart, and worthless words come from a worthless heart.

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