Proverbs 18:6 Commentary and Bible Study

By their fruit you will know them, and from every fool’s heart comes foolish words. It is inevitable that when a fool speaks he enters into contention because there is nothing else in his heart but foolishness, and when his lips are allowed to speak what is within him will be revealed. The speaking of the lips is nothing but the drawing back of a curtain that exposes the heart. But where is the fool going to get wisdom when he sets no value on it. And even though it comes his way, he lets it continue past him without stopping. He has no interest in it. But contention is of great interest to him. He stores up arguments that seem useful to him and anticipates quarrels with his neighbour. He loves strife because he loves to assert himself over others and to put them down. But this behaviour brings him into disrepute, and invites strokes from those he offends. Is he ready for this, and has he bargained for this? Though he may also call for strokes on others, Solomon surely has in mind the consequences that his quarrelsome behaviour bring on himself. This agrees with the next proverb. His mouth does not actually call for strokes but it effectively does so, for he provokes all around him to anger. Where another person will promote peace and answer with mild words to calm down a situation, this one flares up and even a small indignity or sleight will be perceived as a gross insult. It will be returned with double the force, and if two such people are engaged with each other, it will not be long before a war starts. Honour is at stake, or is it merely oversensitivity and pride? Yes, it is pride that cannot bear even the smallest perceived wrong and let it go unreturned, for there is no confidence in such a person that God will one day bring perfect justice and repay all evil, Therefore the proud man will be his own defender and his revenge will come straight away.