Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Proverbs 21:23
What does Proverbs 21:23 mean?
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Proverbs 21:23
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It’s easy to read this as just "don't talk too much," but it's deeper: guarding your mouth and your tongue is about protecting your very soul. This carefulness saves you not just from external troubles like fights or legal issues, but also from internal turmoil like guilt and distress.
Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This proverb sits within a larger section of Proverbs that contrasts the ways of the wise with the foolish, particularly regarding speech and its consequences. Earlier in chapter 21, we've seen descriptions of the proud and the greedy facing downfall, setting the stage for practical wisdom on how to avoid similar fates. Following this verse, the focus shifts to themes like justice and the downfall of oppressors, reinforcing the idea that careful living, including thoughtful speech, leads to security.
Ever feel like your words have a life of their own, sometimes leading you into a mess? This verse unpacks the ancient wisdom behind knowing when to speak and when to hold back.
Knowing When to Speak
This proverb highlights a practical kind of wisdom: the ability to discern the right time and place for words. It's not about total silence, but about thoughtful communication.
It sounds simple, but the way we use our words can be a shield against a surprising amount of trouble. This proverb reveals how 'keeping' your tongue acts as a form of self-preservation.
Guarding Your Soul
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The verse connects guarding your mouth and tongue directly to keeping your 'soul' (or 'person') out of troubles. This isn't just about avoiding minor annoyances; it's about protecting your overall well-being.
Understand the original words
shamar · Hebrew Verb
The act of guarding one’s speech and controlling the tongue; it signifies self-control and the avoidance of sin through careful communication.
James directly echoes Proverbs' wisdom, stating that anyone who can control their tongue is perfect and able to control their whole body, highlighting the immense power and danger of unchecked speech.
Proverbs 18:21This verse makes a powerful, almost identical statement, declaring that death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits, directly linking our words to devastating or life-giving consequences.
Matthew 12:36-37Jesus warns that we will have to give an account for every careless word spoken, showing that even seemingly small utterances have eternal weight and consequences, underscoring the wisdom of guarding our speech.
Proverbs 10:19This proverb offers a complementary truth: 'When words abound, transgression is near, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent,' emphasizing that limiting speech is a key characteristic of wisdom and safety.
jfbProverbs 21:23: "Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles."
- (Compare Pr 13:2, 3; Jas 3:6-10).
pulpitProverbs 21:23: "Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles."
Verse 23. - We have had similar maxims before (Proverbs 13:8 and Proverbs 18:21, where see notes). He keepeth his mouth, who knows when to speak and when to be silent; and he keepeth his tongue, who says only what is to the purpose. We have all heard the proverb, "Speech is silver, silence is gold." One who thus takes heed of his words, keepeth his soul from troubles. The troubles (angores, Vulgate) are suc…
It’s easy to read this as just "don't talk too much," but it's deeper: guarding your mouth and your tongue is about protecting your very soul. This carefulness saves you not just from external troubles like fights or legal issues, but also from internal turmoil like guilt and distress.
This proverb sits within a larger section of Proverbs that contrasts the ways of the wise with the foolish, particularly regarding speech and its consequences. Earlier in chapter 21, we've seen descriptions of the proud and the greedy facing downfall, setting the stage for practical wisdom on how to avoid similar fates. Following this verse, the focus shifts to themes like justice and the downfall of oppressors, reinforcing the idea that careful living, including thoughtful speech, leads to security.
This proverb sits within a larger section of Proverbs that contrasts the ways of the wise with the foolish, particularly regarding speech and its consequences. Earlier in chapter 21, we've seen descriptions of the proud and the greedy facing downfall, setting the stage for practical wisdom on how to avoid similar fates. Following this verse, the focus shifts to themes like justice and the downfall of oppressors, reinforcing the idea that careful living, including thoughtful speech, leads to security.
"Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble." — It’s easy to read this as just "don't talk too much," but it's deeper: guarding your mouth and your tongue is about protecting your very soul. This carefulness saves you not just from external…
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Last reviewed October 2026