Proverbs 13:3 (BSB)

He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.

From Proverbs 13. Also in the ESV.

Commentary on Proverbs 13:3

• Matthew Henry (Presbyterian), Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on Proverbs 13:3: Note, 1. A guard upon the lips is a guard to the soul. He that is cautious, that thinks twice before he speaks once, that, if he have thought evil, lays his hand upon his mouth to suppress it, that keeps a strong bridle on his tongue and a strict hand on that bridle, he keeps his soul from a great deal both of guilt...
• John Gill (Reformed Baptist), Exposition of the Old and New Testaments on Proverbs 13:3: He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life,.... He that keeps his mouth shut keeps it as with a bridle; keeps it from speaking things of other persons, particularly of such as are in high places, of kings and princes, and civil magistrates: he keeps himself quiet and comfortable; keeps himself from many troubles, which otherwise he would come into; keeps his life from danger...
• Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (Reformed), Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible on Proverbs 13:3: He . . . mouth . . . life--because evil speeches may provoke violence from others. he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction--On last clause, compare Pro 10:14.
• Keil & Delitzsch (Lutheran), Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament on Proverbs 13:3: Pro 13:3 3 He that guardeth his mouth keepeth his soul; He that openeth his lips, to him it is destruction. 3a is extended in Pro 21:23 to a distich. Mouth and soul stand in closest interchangeable relation, for speech is the most immediate and continuous expression of the soul; thus whoever guards his mouth keeps his soul (the Venet., with excellent rendering of the...