Ecclesiastes 10:12

The words of the wise are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips. Speech reveals and shapes one's character, for good or ruin.

Cross-references · 31

• Col 4:6Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
• Luke 4:22All testified about him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth, and they said, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”
• Prov 22:11He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king’s friend.
• Prov 15:2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of fools gush out folly.
• Eph 4:29Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.
• Prov 10:20–21The tongue of the righteous is like choice silver. The heart of the wicked is of little worth.
• Prov 10:13–14Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has discernment, but a rod is for the back of him who is void of understanding.
• Prov 10:31–32The mouth of the righteous produces wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
• Prov 22:17–18Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching.
• Job 4:3–4Behold, you have instructed many, you have strengthened the weak hands.
• Prov 10:8The wise in heart accept commandments, but a chattering fool will fall.
• Prov 19:5A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who pours out lies shall not go free.
• Prov 25:11–12A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
• Job 16:5but I would strengthen you with my mouth. The solace of my lips would relieve you.
• Prov 16:21–24The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.
• Ps 64:8Their own tongues shall ruin them. All who see them will shake their heads.
• Prov 26:9Like a thorn bush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
• Matt 12:35The good man out of his good treasure brings out good things, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings out evil things.
• Prov 12:18There is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise heals.
• Prov 10:10One winking with the eye causes sorrow, but a chattering fool will fall.
• Ps 37:30The mouth of the righteous talks of wisdom. His tongue speaks justice.
• Prov 12:13–14An evil man is trapped by sinfulness of lips, but the righteous shall come out of trouble.
• Prov 31:26She opens her mouth with wisdom. Faithful instruction is on her tongue.
• Prov 18:6–8A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.
• Ps 140:9As for the head of those who surround me, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
• 1 Kgs 20:40–42As your servant was busy here and there, he was gone.” The king of Israel said to him, “So shall your judgment be. You yourself have decided it.”
• Ps 71:15–18My mouth will tell about your righteousness, and of your salvation all day, though I don’t know its full measure.
• 2 Sam 1:16David said to him, “Your blood be on your head; for your mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I have slain Yahweh’s anointed.’”
• Prov 15:23Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time!
• Ps 40:9–10I have proclaimed glad news of righteousness in the great assembly. Behold, I will not seal my lips, Yahweh, you know.
• Luke 19:22“He said to him, ‘Out of your own mouth will I judge you, you wicked servant! You knew that I am an exacting man, taking up that which I didn’t lay down, and reaping that which I didn’t sow.

Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.