Proverbs 29:11 Commentary and Bible Study

A fool is quick to speak and has few restraints on his lips. As he is about to speak, he does not say to himself, ‘I may need more information’, or, ‘I need to wait until this situation becomes clearer before I speak.’ He likes the sound of his own words more than the words of others. There are many reasons why he might be better to wait till later, some to do with the situation in hand, and some to do with himself. It may be that he is not sufficiently wise to comment on an issue, and it would be far better to let others speak instead. Does he soberly and realistically evaluate himself? Humility hangs back, but pride thrusts forward. It is a shameful thing for a novice to exalt himself in the presence of those who are wiser than him. The shame comes from the false evaluation that he makes of himself which betrays his desire for praise above his desire for truth. It comes from impartiality towards himself and from loving himself before the truth. It comes because it is an inadvertent disclosure about his own secret self-estimation which he never intended to make but which he might as well broadcast from the housetops because it is so clear. A fool expresses all his mind; he is a shallow well that is soon drained dry. Does this mean that the wise are always hesitant and can never bring themselves to the point where they express themselves on anything, in case they have to revise their judgment later? No, the wise do speak and their words shed light on all around them, but they do not speak in order to exalt self. They speak what they know and not what they do not know. Their words do not extend beyond what they should say in an attempt to impress others. The wise know how to keep silent. They understand that some situations call for others to be kept in the dark and not given full disclosure immediately. Nicholls gives the example of Abraham as one who wisely concealed his mission when he was commanded to offer up his son Isaac. He had received a revelation from God, a direct communication to him personally, but he did not tell Sarah about this until he returned safely with Isaac lest she be over distressed or even try to prevent him going. The Lord Jesus Christ was discreet in all his ways, speaking only what the Father had commanded him to speak. The wise man always has an eye to what God wishes him to speak. Nicholls also gives the example of Sampson speaking to Delilah as a man who was imprudent in saying more than he should.