Proverbs 13:3 kjv
He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
Proverbs 13:3 nkjv
He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.
Proverbs 13:3 niv
Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.
Proverbs 13:3 esv
Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
Proverbs 13:3 nlt
Those who control their tongue will have a long life;
opening your mouth can ruin everything.
Proverbs 13 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 10:14 | Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near. | Wise words lead to safety; folly to ruin. |
| Prov 10:19 | In the multitude of words transgression is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is prudent. | Restraining speech prevents sin and shows wisdom. |
| Prov 12:14 | From the fruit of his mouth a man eats what is good... | Words yield positive results. |
| Prov 12:18 | There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. | Careless words wound; wise words heal. |
| Prov 15:4 | A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it crushes the spirit. | Kind words bring life; deceitful words destroy. |
| Prov 16:24 | Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and health to the body. | Edifying words benefit body and soul. |
| Prov 17:28 | Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise... | Silence can imply wisdom, even for a fool. |
| Prov 18:7 | A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. | Foolish talk leads to one's own trap. |
| Prov 18:21 | Death and life are in the power of the tongue... | Words possess ultimate power over destiny. |
| Prov 21:23 | Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles. | Mouth-guarding saves from distress. |
| Prov 29:11 | A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back. | Wise restrain emotions; fools blurt them. |
| Psa 34:13 | Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. | Call to avoid harmful and deceptive speech. |
| Psa 39:1 | I said, "I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue..." | Personal commitment to control speech to avoid sin. |
| Psa 141:3 | Set a guard, O Yahweh, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! | Prayer for divine help in guarding speech. |
| Matt 12:36-37 | ...every careless word that people speak, they shall give an account for it in the day of judgment... | Account for every word spoken at judgment. |
| Jas 1:26 | If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. | Uncontrolled tongue reveals false piety. |
| Jas 3:2 | For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. | Mastery of tongue implies spiritual maturity. |
| Jas 3:6 | The tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body... | The tongue's immense power to corrupt. |
| Tit 2:8 | ...sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame... | Believers should demonstrate sound, unassailable speech. |
| 1 Pet 3:10 | For "Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil..." | Guarding the tongue leads to a blessed life. |
| Eph 4:29 | Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up... | Use words to build up, not to tear down. |
| Col 4:6 | Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. | Speech should be tasteful and wise. |
Proverbs 13 verses
Proverbs 13 3 Meaning
Proverbs 13:3 conveys a profound truth about the direct correlation between self-control in speech and one's overall well-being. It declares that diligent and deliberate management of one's words safeguards one's entire being and destiny. Conversely, a lack of restraint, allowing one's lips to speak freely without wisdom or thought, inevitably leads to devastating consequences, including downfall, destruction, or ruin in various aspects of life.
Proverbs 13 3 Context
Proverbs 13 is part of the collection of Solomonic proverbs (chapters 10-22), characterized primarily by antithetical parallelism, presenting sharp contrasts between wise and foolish behaviors and their respective consequences. This chapter broadly deals with various aspects of wisdom, including diligence, honesty, integrity, discipline, and especially the use of words. Within this context, Proverbs 13:3 highlights a specific facet of wisdom: self-control over one's speech. Historically, the audience for these proverbs lived in an oral society where spoken words carried immense weight and lasting impact on reputation, relationships, and even legal outcomes. The warnings against reckless speech indirectly contend with the prevalent human tendency towards impulsive and harmful communication, emphasizing that true wisdom manifests in disciplined utterance.
Proverbs 13 3 Word analysis
- He who guards (נֹצֵר, notser): This Hebrew term signifies diligent keeping, watching, or preserving. It implies a conscious, careful, and protective effort. It is not passive, but an active, continuous act of vigilance, akin to a watchman guarding a city gate or a keeper watching over something precious. This action demonstrates self-discipline and forethought.
- his mouth (פֶּה, peh): While literally referring to the physical opening, in this context, it metaphorically represents all forms of vocal expression—every word, sound, and utterance. It encompasses the entirety of one's speech, from whispers to shouts, gossip to instruction.
- preserves (שֹׁמֵר, shomer): This word is closely related to notser and reinforces the idea of safeguarding. It means to keep, watch, protect, or take care of. The act of guarding the mouth directly results in keeping or protecting something else.
- his life (נַפְשׁוֹ, nafsho): This Hebrew word (nephesh with suffix) goes beyond mere physical existence. It refers to one's entire being, soul, self, vitality, well-being, reputation, prosperity, and even one's destiny. Preserving "life" means protecting one's honor, relationships, peace, spiritual health, and overall flourishing.
- but he who opens wide (פֹּשֵׂק, posek): This verb means to open wide, gape, or spread apart. It implies a lack of control, an unrestrained and often impulsive outpouring of words. It can suggest a carelessness or a willingness to say anything without thought or filter.
- his lips (שְׂפָתָיו, sfatav): Similar to "mouth," the lips are instruments of speech. Using "lips" here, particularly in contrast to the disciplined "mouth," can emphasize the superficiality or the sheer volume of unrestrained talk.
- comes to ruin (מְחִתָּה, mechittah): This Hebrew term signifies ruin, destruction, terror, dismay, or breaking down. It is a severe consequence, pointing to catastrophic outcomes that result from unchecked speech, which can include social disgrace, relational breakdown, financial loss, legal trouble, or even physical harm and spiritual detriment.
- He who guards his mouth, preserves his life: This phrase emphasizes the vital link between internal discipline (self-control) and external outcomes (well-being). It describes the wise individual who carefully considers their words, filtering them through discernment before utterance. This deliberate practice protects their personhood, reputation, relationships, and spiritual walk from harm.
- but he who opens wide his lips, comes to ruin: This antithetical phrase paints a vivid picture of imprudence and folly. It illustrates the individual whose speech is unbridled, impulsive, and careless, potentially revealing secrets, spreading gossip, engaging in slander, or uttering angry, foolish, or boastful words. The result is a personal downfall, a collapse of what is valued, demonstrating how the instrument of speech can become an instrument of self-destruction.
Proverbs 13 3 Bonus section
The strong imagery of "guarding" and "opening wide" emphasizes intentionality. The mouth is not merely a physical organ but the gateway to the heart (Luke 6:45), revealing one's true character. This proverb highlights that the control of speech is not just an external act but springs from an internal discipline, often reflecting one's spiritual maturity or lack thereof. The contrast between life and ruin also points to the ultimate stakes involved – not just temporary inconvenience but profound, sometimes irreversible, impact on one's entire being and trajectory. Biblical wisdom consistently prioritizes the disciplined tongue as a mark of true wisdom, essential for walking in paths of righteousness and avoiding sin.
Proverbs 13 3 Commentary
Proverbs 13:3 is a cornerstone of biblical wisdom regarding the power of speech. It reveals that the diligent cultivation of verbal restraint is a direct pathway to preservation, broadly encompassing physical, relational, and spiritual flourishing. This involves thoughtful deliberation before speaking, choosing words that build up rather than tear down, and discerning when to be silent. The alternative, uncontrolled and indiscriminate speech, inevitably leads to a cascade of negative consequences—ruin, disaster, or shame. This is not merely about speaking less, but speaking with purpose, wisdom, and reverence. The verse reminds believers that their words, like seeds, bear fruit—either life or destruction—and thus, careful stewardship of the tongue is a fundamental mark of wisdom and maturity in faith. For instance, speaking without thought can lead to betraying a confidence, causing irreparable damage to a friendship; spreading a rumor can destroy someone's reputation and bring ruin upon the slanderer through alienation or judgment; impulsive, angry words can ignite family feuds; while measured, kind, and truthful speech builds bridges, fosters trust, and maintains peace.