Proverbs 16:23 (BSB)

The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

From Proverbs 16. Also in the ESV.

Commentary on Proverbs 16:23

• Matthew Henry (Presbyterian), Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on Proverbs 16:23: Solomon had commended eloquence, or the sweetness of the lips (Pro 16:21), and seemed to prefer it before wisdom; but here he corrects himself, as it were, and shows that unless there be a good treasure within to support the eloquence it is worth little. Wisdom in the heart is the main matter. 1.
• John Gill (Reformed Baptist), Exposition of the Old and New Testaments on Proverbs 16:23: The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth,.... That is, a man that is wise in heart, as in Pro 16:21; his heart will teach his mouth what to say, when to say it, and before whom; it will prompt him to matter, that he shall not be at a loss what to say, nor how to say; it will furnish him with words and...
• Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (Reformed), Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible on Proverbs 16:23: The heart is the source of wisdom flowing from the mouth.
• Keil & Delitzsch (Lutheran), Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament on Proverbs 16:23: Pro 16:23 23 The heat of the wise maketh his mouth wise, And learning mounteth up to his lips. Regarding השׂכּיל as causative: to put into the possession of intelligence, vid., at Gen 3:6. Wisdom in the heart produceth intelligent discourse, and, as the parallel member expresses it, learning mounteth up to the lips, i.e., the learning which the man taketh into his lips (Pro 22:18; cf.