Proverbs 14:3 (BSB)

The proud speech of a fool brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.

From Proverbs 14. Also in the ESV.

Commentary on Proverbs 14:3

• Matthew Henry (Presbyterian), Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on Proverbs 14:3: See here, 1. A proud fool exposing himself. Where there is pride in the heart, and no wisdom in the head to suppress it, it commonly shows itself in the words: In the mouth there is pride, proud boasting, proud censuring, proud scorning, proud commanding and giving law; this is the rod, or branch, of pride; the word is used only here and Isa 11:1.
• John Gill (Reformed Baptist), Exposition of the Old and New Testaments on Proverbs 14:3: In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride,.... A proud tongue, or a tongue speaking proud and haughty things; with which foolish or wicked men smite others and wound and hurt their reputation and credit, and in the issue hurt themselves also; their tongue is not only a rod to others, but a scourge to themselves, or is the cause of evil...
• Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (Reformed), Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible on Proverbs 14:3: rod of pride--that is, the punishment of pride, which they evince by their words. The words of the wise procure good to them.
• Geneva Bible Notes (Reformed), Geneva Bible Study Notes on Proverbs 14:3: In the mouth of the foolish [is] a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them. (c) His proud tongue will cause him to be punished.