Proverbs 18:20

20 From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is satisfied; he is filled with the product of his lips.^[a]

Proverbs 18:20 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 18:20

A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth,
&c.] With his own words and discourses, when they are prudent, pious, and savoury; when they are with grace, and minister it; they are satisfying to himself, to his own mind and conscience, and to his family; to all within his house, which is, as it were, his belly; but, if otherwise, it will not be profitable nor satisfying to either; and therefore, if a man would keep conscience easy, and be useful to others, he ought to take care what he says; see ( Proverbs 12:14 ) ( 13:2 ) ; [and] with the increase of his lips shall he be filled;
the same thing as before, expressed in different words, alluding to the sowing, of seed in the earth, and the increase of it; as a man sows he reaps, and enjoys the fruits of his labour; according to what a man sows with his lips, such is his harvest he is afterwards a partaker of.

Proverbs 18:20 In-Context

18 [Casting] the lot ends quarrels and separates powerful opponents.

19 An offended brother is [harder to reach] than a fortified city, and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress.

20 From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is satisfied; he is filled with the product of his lips.

21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

22 A man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.

Footnotes

• [a]. Pr 1:31; 12:14; 14:14