Proverbs 13:3

KJV

¶ He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: [but] he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

KJV (with Strong's)

He that keepeth {H5341} his mouth {H6310} keepeth {H8104} his life {H5315}: but he that openeth wide {H6589} his lips {H8193} shall have destruction {H4288}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He who guards his mouth preserves his life, but one who talks too much comes to ruin.

Berean Standard Bible

He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.

American Standard Version

He that guardeth his mouth keepeth his life; Buthe that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 13:3 delivers a profound truth regarding the direct correlation between verbal discipline and one's overall well-being. It asserts that careful, intentional control over one's speech leads to the preservation of life in its fullest sense, while reckless and unrestrained communication inevitably results in ruin and calamity. This concise proverb encapsulates a fundamental principle of biblical wisdom, emphasizing the immense power of the tongue to shape one's destiny.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 13:3 is situated within the "Proverbs of Solomon" (chapters 10-22), a collection characterized by antithetical parallelism, where contrasting ideas are presented to highlight the paths of wisdom and folly. This verse specifically contributes to a recurring theme throughout the book: the profound impact of speech. Chapters like [Proverbs 10](/proverbs/10 "Proverbs 10 - Contrasting the Wise and the Foolish") and [Proverbs 12](/proverbs/12 "Proverbs 12 - Wisdom and Righteousness") frequently juxtapose the words of the righteous with those of the wicked, demonstrating how speech serves as a clear indicator of one's character and ultimately determines one's fate. The immediate verses around [Proverbs 13](/proverbs/13 "Proverbs 13 - Wisdom for Life") also touch on themes of diligence, honesty, and humility, all of which are closely tied to how one speaks and interacts with the world.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, as in many ancient Near Eastern cultures, speech was not merely a means of communication but a potent force. Words carried significant weight in legal settings, community reputation, and social standing. Oral tradition was paramount, and a person's honor or shame was often directly tied to their verbal integrity and discretion. The "mouth" and "lips" were understood as the primary instruments through which one's inner character was revealed and through which one either built or destroyed relationships and one's own standing within the community. Wisdom literature like Proverbs often served as practical instruction for young men entering public life, emphasizing the importance of measured speech in the king's court, in business dealings, and within the family unit to ensure prosperity and avoid public disgrace or even legal repercussions.
* **Key Themes:** This proverb powerfully articulates several core themes prevalent throughout the wisdom literature. Firstly, it underscores the **Power of the Tongue**, portraying words not as neutral utterances but as agents of life or death, as seen in [Proverbs 18:21](/proverbs/18-21 "Proverbs 18:21 - Life and Death are in the Power of the Tongue"). Secondly, it champions **Discretion and Self-Control**, highlighting the wise individual's deliberate effort to guard their speech, a virtue consistently praised in contrast to the impulsive folly of the garrulous. Thirdly, the verse establishes a clear **Consequence of Speech**, presenting a stark dichotomy where disciplined communication leads to preservation, while unrestrained talk leads to ruin. This theme of cause and effect is central to the entire book of [Proverbs](/proverbs "The Book of Proverbs - Wisdom for Living"), which consistently links righteous actions (including speech) with positive outcomes, and wicked actions with negative ones. Finally, it addresses the ultimate stakes: **Life vs. Destruction**, emphasizing that verbal habits impact not just social standing but one's entire existence, encompassing physical safety, relational harmony, and spiritual well-being.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **keepeth (Hebrew, _nâtsar'_ H5341):** From a primitive root meaning "to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.)". In this context, it signifies active vigilance and deliberate protection. To "keep" one's mouth is not passive but an intentional, ongoing effort to guard it, like a watchman guarding a city or a treasure.
* **life (Hebrew, _nephesh'_ H5315):** From a root meaning "to breathe." It refers to a breathing creature, vitality, or the very soul/self of a person. It is used very widely to denote the entire being—bodily, mental, and spiritual. Thus, "keepeth his life" implies the preservation of one's whole existence: well-being, reputation, relationships, and even physical safety.
* **destruction (Hebrew, _mᵉchittâh'_ H4288):** From a root meaning "to dissolve." Properly, it signifies a dissolution; concretely, a ruin, or (abstractly) consternation. It conveys the idea of utter collapse, dismay, or terror. This is a severe consequence, indicating that reckless speech can lead to the complete undoing or ruin of a person's life.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He that keepeth his mouth":** This phrase describes the wise individual who exercises intentional control and discipline over their words. The act of "keeping" implies a deliberate guarding, a thoughtful restraint, and a conscious decision to filter what is spoken. It suggests a person who understands the potential power of their words and chooses discretion.
* **"keepeth his life":** The direct result of such verbal discipline is the preservation of one's entire being. "Life" here encompasses not just physical existence but also one's reputation, relationships, peace of mind, and overall well-being. By guarding their mouth, the wise person avoids pitfalls, conflicts, and negative consequences that unrestrained speech often invites, thereby safeguarding their holistic flourishing.
* **"but he that openeth wide his lips":** This clause presents a stark contrast, describing the foolish person. To "open wide one's lips" suggests a lack of restraint, impulsivity, and perhaps a tendency towards gossip, boastfulness, or speaking without forethought. It implies a readiness to speak without considering the impact or consequences, often indicative of an undisciplined heart.
* **"shall have destruction":** The inevitable outcome for the one who speaks carelessly. "Destruction" (mᵉchittâh) signifies ruin, calamity, or dismay. This can manifest in various ways: damaged relationships, loss of reputation, legal troubles, social ostracization, or even physical harm. Uncontrolled speech, therefore, is portrayed as a direct path to personal undoing.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 13:3 masterfully employs **Antithetical Parallelism**, a hallmark of Hebrew wisdom literature, by presenting two contrasting lines that highlight opposing paths and their divergent outcomes. The first line describes the positive consequence of verbal restraint ("He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life"), while the second line details the negative consequence of verbal recklessness ("but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction"). This structure powerfully emphasizes the cause-and-effect relationship. Additionally, **Metonymy** is present, where "mouth" and "lips" stand in for the act of speaking or one's speech itself. The physical organs are used to represent the function they perform, making the proverb more vivid and direct. The term "destruction" can also be seen as a form of **Hyperbole**, underscoring the severity of the consequences of uncontrolled speech, implying not just minor inconvenience but potentially catastrophic ruin.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This proverb deeply resonates with the broader biblical understanding of speech as a reflection of the heart and a powerful force in the world. From God speaking creation into existence ([Genesis 1:3](/genesis/1-3 "Genesis 1:3 - God Speaks Creation into Being")) to the prophetic word shaping history, the Bible consistently affirms the creative and destructive potential of words. Humans, made in God's image, are likewise entrusted with this power, and Proverbs 13:3 serves as a divine warning and instruction for its responsible stewardship. It teaches that true wisdom is not merely intellectual knowledge but the practical application of discernment, especially in the realm of communication, recognizing that our words carry spiritual weight and have eternal implications.

* [Proverbs 18:21](/proverbs/18-21 "Proverbs 18:21 - Life and Death are in the Power of the Tongue")
* [James 3:5-6](/james/3-5 "James 3:5-6 - The Immense Power of the Tongue")
* [Ephesians 4:29](/ephesians/4-29 "Ephesians 4:29 - Building Up with Speech")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 13:3 remains profoundly relevant in every era, but perhaps especially so in our hyper-connected, digital age. The ease with which words can be disseminated globally through social media, instant messaging, and online platforms amplifies the proverb's warning. The "open wide his lips" can now mean a hasty tweet, a thoughtless comment, or an unverified rumor shared online, each capable of causing widespread "destruction" to reputations, relationships, and even mental well-being. To "keep one's mouth" in this context means cultivating digital discernment, pausing before posting, and prioritizing truth, kindness, and edification over impulsive reactions or the desire for immediate gratification. It calls us to practice self-control not just in face-to-face interactions but in every form of communication, recognizing that every word carries weight and contributes to the fabric of our lives and communities. By embracing this wisdom, we can foster environments of trust and peace, preserving our own integrity and contributing to the flourishing of others.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life (e.g., family, work, online) do you find it most challenging to "keep your mouth"?**
* **Can you recall a time when your "open lips" led to "destruction" for yourself or others? What lessons did you learn?**
* **How can you intentionally cultivate habits of thoughtful speech and silence in your daily interactions, both in person and online?**
* **What does it mean to "keep your life" through disciplined speech beyond just avoiding trouble? How does it contribute to holistic well-being?**

### FAQ
**What does "keepeth his mouth" truly mean in a practical sense?**

Answer: To "keepeth his mouth" means to exercise intentional self-control and discipline over one's speech. Practically, this involves thinking before speaking, discerning when to speak and when to remain silent, avoiding hasty or impulsive words, refraining from gossip, slander, or harmful criticism, and choosing words that are truthful, edifying, and appropriate for the situation. It's an active guarding of the tongue, much like a sentry guards a city gate, to prevent destructive words from escaping.

**Is the "destruction" mentioned in the proverb always a literal, physical death?**

Answer: While "destruction" (Hebrew: _mᵉchittâh_) can encompass physical ruin, in the context of Proverbs, it more broadly refers to the undoing or ruin of one's life in a holistic sense. This can include the destruction of one's reputation, relationships, financial stability, peace of mind, social standing, or even spiritual well-being. Reckless speech often leads to alienation, conflict, legal troubles, and a general state of calamity that undermines a person's flourishing, even if it doesn't result in immediate physical death. The consequences are comprehensive and devastating to one's overall "life" (_nephesh_).

**How does this proverb apply to modern communication, especially with social media?**

Answer: Proverbs 13:3 is incredibly relevant to modern communication. Social media platforms, instant messaging, and online forums provide unprecedented opportunities to "open wide one's lips" without the immediate face-to-face accountability that often encourages restraint. Hasty posts, unverified shares, angry comments, or thoughtless criticisms can spread rapidly and cause immense "destruction" to individuals, groups, and even society. Applying this proverb today means practicing digital discernment, pausing before posting, considering the long-term impact of our online words, and choosing to use our digital voices to build up rather than tear down, aligning with the call for edifying speech found in [Ephesians 4:29](/ephesians/4-29 "Ephesians 4:29 - Let No Corrupting Talk Come Out of Your Mouths").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 13:3 finds its ultimate fulfillment and perfect embodiment in the person of Jesus Christ. He is the quintessential example of one who "kept His mouth" and thereby "kept His life" in the most profound sense, ultimately giving it for the life of the world. Unlike those who "open wide their lips" to their own destruction, Jesus's words were always life-giving, filled with grace and truth ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). His public ministry was characterized by discerning speech, knowing precisely when to speak profound truths and when to remain silent, even in the face of false accusations and injustice ([Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - He Was Oppressed and Afflicted, Yet He Opened Not His Mouth")). His silence before Pilate and His accusers was not weakness but a powerful act of self-control, fulfilling prophecy and securing our salvation. Furthermore, Jesus's life, culminating in His sacrificial death and resurrection, is the ultimate act of "keeping His life" by laying it down, thereby securing eternal life for all who believe ([John 10:17-18](/john/10-17 "John 10:17-18 - Jesus Lays Down His Life")). Through His Spirit, believers are empowered to follow His example, to guard their tongues, and to speak words that bring life and grace to others, reflecting the wisdom of Christ who is the Word made flesh ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - In the Beginning Was the Word")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Proverbs 21:23

¶ Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

Proverbs 18:21

¶ Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Proverbs 18:7

A fool's mouth [is] his destruction, and his lips [are] the snare of his soul.

James 3:2

For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same [is] a perfect man, [and] able also to bridle the whole body.

James 3:12

Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so [can] no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

Psalms 39:1

¶ To the chief Musician, [even] to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.

Proverbs 10:19

¶ In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips [is] wise.