Proverbs 29:20

20 Observe the people who always talk before they think - even simpletons are better off than they are.

Proverbs 29:20 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 29:20

Seest thou a man [that is] hasty in his words
Swift to speak either before God or men; that takes upon him to speak upon a subject, or return an answer to a question, before he has thoroughly thought of it, and well considered it, and digested what he should say; see ( Ecclesiastes 5:2 ) ( James 1:19 ) ; or "hasty in matters" F24; in his business; runs rashly and precipitately into things, without duly considering within himself what is right and proper to be done, and without taking the advice of others; [there is] more hope of a fool than of him;
of one that has not the gift of elocution, or not so much sagacity in business, and yet takes time to think, and advises with others.


FOOTNOTES:

F24 (wyrbdb Ua) "praecipitem in negotiis suis", Vatablus, Piscator; "in rebus suis", Mercerus.

Proverbs 29:20 In-Context

18 If people can't see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed.
19 It takes more than talk to keep workers in line; mere words go in one ear and out the other.
20 Observe the people who always talk before they think - even simpletons are better off than they are.
21 If you let people treat you like a doormat, you'll be quite forgotten in the end.
22 Angry people stir up a lot of discord; the intemperate stir up trouble.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.