Proverbs 20:15 (BSB)

There is an abundance of gold and rubies, but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure.

From Proverbs 20. Also in the ESV.

Commentary on Proverbs 20:15

• Matthew Henry (Presbyterian), Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on Proverbs 20:15: The lips of knowledge (a good understanding to guide the lips and a good elocution to diffuse the knowledge) are to be preferred far before gold, and pearl, and rubies; for, 1. They are more rare in themselves, more scarce and hard to be got. There is gold in many a man's pocket that has no grace in his heart.
• John Gill (Reformed Baptist), Exposition of the Old and New Testaments on Proverbs 20:15: There is gold, and a multitude of rubies,.... A man may have a large quantity of either, or of both of thorn, as some men have; for there is much of them in the world, not only in mines and quarries, but in the houses and cabinets of men; but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel; knowledge even of things natural, and a...
• Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (Reformed), Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible on Proverbs 20:15: The contrast denotes the greater value of knowledge (compare Pro 3:14-16).
• Keil & Delitzsch (Lutheran), Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament on Proverbs 20:15: Pro 20:15 15 There is indeed gold, and many pearls; But a precious treasure are lips full of knowledge. In order to find a connection between this proverb and that which precedes, we need only be reminded of the parable of the merchantman who sought goodly pearls, Mat 13:45.