‏ Proverbs 17:27

Wisdom Shown by Calmness and Few Words

This section explains how wise people show their wisdom in two ways: by keeping a peaceful attitude and by controlling what they say. People often respect those who stay calm and speak carefully. Even someone who says little can seem wise to others, but only God knows the truth of what is in a person’s heart.

v. 27: A wise person has an excellent spirit—he is calm, gentle, and steady. He keeps his emotions under control and is pleasant to be around. This makes him truly valuable and respected by others (Proverbs 17:27 a). A wise person also watches his words. He spares his wordsbecause he does not want to say anything wrong. He speaks with care and only when it is necessary. People often think someone is wise just because he is quiet and listens well. If a fool keeps silent, people might even think he is wise, because they cannot see his foolishness. But God can see inside the heart, and He knows what everyone is really thinking (Proverbs 17:27 b).

Copyright information for MHM