Proverbs 17:7 kjv
Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
Proverbs 17:7 nkjv
Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, Much less lying lips to a prince.
Proverbs 17:7 niv
Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool? how much worse lying lips to a ruler!
Proverbs 17:7 esv
Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a prince.
Proverbs 17:7 nlt
Eloquent words are not fitting for a fool;
even less are lies fitting for a ruler.
Proverbs 17 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 26:7 | Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools. | Wisdom misused by the morally deficient. |
| Prov 26:9 | Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools. | Folly misusing truth leads to harm. |
| Prov 15:2 | The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of fools pours out folly. | Contrast: wise speak knowledge, fools folly. |
| Prov 29:9 | If a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, the foolish man raves and scoffs... | Fools respond with raving, not reason. |
| Ecc 10:12 | The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him. | A fool's words bring about his own ruin. |
| Prov 10:32 | The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked speaks perversity. | Righteous discernment vs. wicked perversity. |
| Prov 12:13 | An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips... | Wicked trapped by their deceitful words. |
| Prov 13:3 | He who guards his mouth preserves his life, but he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. | Protecting oneself by careful speech. |
| Prov 14:7 | Go from the presence of a foolish man, for you will not discern knowledge from his lips. | No wisdom is to be found from a fool. |
| Prov 12:22 | Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight. | God's detestation of lies. |
| Prov 6:17 | These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue... | Lying tongue listed among what God abhors. |
| Prov 19:5 | A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who speaks lies will not escape. | Divine justice against liars. |
| Prov 19:9 | A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who speaks lies will perish. | Severity of punishment for spreading falsehoods. |
| Prov 16:13 | Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and he who speaks what is right they love. | Kings value integrity in speech. |
| Prov 20:28 | Lovingkindness and truth preserve the king, and by lovingkindness he upholds his throne. | Integrity and truth stabilize a ruler's reign. |
| Ps 15:1-2 | O Lord, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly... and speaks truth in his heart. | Holiness linked to integrity of heart and word. |
| Is 32:5-7 | The fool will no longer be called noble, nor the rogue be regarded as honorable... For the fool speaks folly... The rogue's tricks are evil. | Contrasting true nobility with foolishness. |
| Eph 4:25 | Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor... | New Testament call to abandon deceit. |
| Col 3:9 | Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds... | Christian ethical command against lying. |
| Matt 12:34 | For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. | Connection between inner state and outward speech. |
| Jam 1:26 | If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless. | The tongue as an indicator of true faith. |
| Jam 3:2 | For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man... | Control of speech as a mark of maturity. |
Proverbs 17 verses
Proverbs 17 7 Meaning
Proverbs 17:7 asserts the incongruity between character and speech, stating that noble or elevated speech does not befit a fool, and it is far more scandalous for a person of high standing (a prince) to speak lies. The verse highlights that one's words should align with one's genuine character, and certain forms of speech are fundamentally unsuited to certain moral states. A fool lacks the moral substance for wisdom, and a leader is corrupted by deceit.
Proverbs 17 7 Context
Proverbs chapter 17 continues the book's emphasis on practical wisdom for daily life, often highlighting contrasts between the wise and the foolish, the righteous and the wicked. This specific verse, Proverbs 17:7, addresses the fitness of words to the character of the speaker, drawing a sharp distinction in the appropriate use of language. The surrounding proverbs in the chapter touch on themes such as household dynamics (v. 6), the power of bribery (v. 8), covering offenses (v. 9), the impact of rebuke (v. 10), and the nature of perverse individuals (v. 11), all contributing to the broader mosaic of moral discernment. Within ancient Israelite society, where kings and princes were central figures of authority and justice, their integrity and truthfulness in speech were paramount for social stability and the well-being of the nation. The verse implicitly champions a culture of truth, integrity, and congruity between one's internal moral state and external expressions. It stands in contrast to any contemporary beliefs that might rationalize or excuse deceit, especially in leaders, or that would allow empty flattery or deceptive speech to pass as genuine wisdom.
Proverbs 17 7 Word analysis
- Excellent speech (Hebrew: sāp̄â yəṯērâ – literally "a lip of abundance/superlative"): Refers to elevated, noble, or profound discourse. It is speech that carries weight, wisdom, or honor, going beyond common parlance. The term implies not just eloquent delivery but also content that is significant and meritorious.
- is not fitting (Hebrew: lō’-nā’â): Indicates impropriety or unsuitability. It means it is not becoming, appropriate, or beautiful. Such speech feels out of place or artificial coming from a particular source.
- for a fool (Hebrew: lə·nā·ḇāl): This is not merely someone lacking intelligence, but a person characterized by moral emptiness, depravity, and godlessness. The nāḇāl is spiritually and morally insensible, often described as impious, worthless, and disrespectful. Such an individual inherently lacks the foundation for genuine noble speech, and any attempt at it would be hollow, hypocritical, or manipulative.
- much less (Hebrew: ’ap̄ kî): An a fortiori particle indicating a stronger conclusion. It signifies "how much more," or in this context, "how much less fitting/appropriate." It strengthens the subsequent point by demonstrating a greater degree of unsuitability or offensiveness.
- do lying lips (Hebrew: śap̄ṯê šeqer): Directly means "lips of falsehood" or "deceptive lips." This refers to words that are deliberately untruthful, intended to deceive, mislead, or distort reality.
- fit a prince (Hebrew: lə·nāḏîḇ): Refers to a noble, generous, or benevolent person, often specifically a prince or ruler. A nāḏîḇ is someone of high standing, expected to possess virtues like honor, integrity, and righteousness, which are essential for leadership.
Words-group analysis:
- Excellent speech...for a fool: This juxtaposition highlights the incompatibility of true wisdom and honor with a character that is morally bankrupt. A fool might imitate wise speech, but it cannot originate from a heart devoid of moral substance.
- much less do lying lips fit a prince: This ascending clause escalates the seriousness. If elevated speech is unsuitable for a base fool (as they would corrupt it or use it for ill), then lying, which is intrinsically vile, is even more catastrophic when associated with someone who should be the very embodiment of truth and justice in society. It undermines their authority and social fabric itself.
Proverbs 17 7 Bonus section
- The proverb implies that genuine wisdom and truth flow from an inner moral congruence. Speech is not merely an external act but a manifestation of one's deepest character.
- The progression from "fool" to "prince" shows an escalating degree of responsibility. The expectation of moral uprightness in speech grows with one's standing in society.
- The wisdom here serves as a subtle polemic against any culture or leadership that values expediency or power over truth and integrity. It is a call for leaders to embody righteousness.
- This verse can serve as a timeless principle: for words to have their intended noble impact, they must be consistent with the speaker's true moral identity. Anything less leads to dissonance, mistrust, and eventual societal decay.
Proverbs 17 7 Commentary
Proverbs 17:7 offers a powerful reflection on the profound link between a person's character and their communication. The proverb first posits that "excellent speech"—speech that is wise, profound, or honorable—is inherently unfitting for a "fool" (nāḇāl). This nāḇāl is not just intellectually dull but morally and spiritually devoid, living in open disregard for wisdom and righteousness. For such an individual, genuinely wise words are an alien tongue; they either lack the capacity to produce them from an upright heart or would corrupt them for selfish and base purposes. Their outward speech would fail to align with their inward depravity.
The proverb then intensifies its argument using an a fortiori statement: "much less do lying lips fit a prince" (nāḏîḇ). A prince, a noble person, is by definition someone in a position of authority and influence, expected to uphold truth, justice, and societal order. If excellent speech is out of place for a base fool, then falsehood, a direct affront to truth, is utterly reprehensible for a leader. The lips of a prince should be channels of integrity and justice, giving weight to their decrees and ensuring trust among the populace. Lying by a leader corrupts the source of justice, dismantles trust, and invites chaos. This proverb underscores that integrity in speech is a measure of genuine character, most critically for those who bear responsibility for others.