| Geneva Study Bible The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. Wesley's Notes 10:12 Gracious - Procure him favour with those who hear him. King James Translators' Notes gracious: Heb. grace Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 12. gracious-Thereby he takes precaution against sudden injury (Ec 10:11). swallow up himself-(Pr 10:8, 14, 21, 32; 12:13; 15:2; 22:11). Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 10:11-15 There is a practice in the East, of charming serpents by music. The babbler's tongue is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison; and contradiction only makes it the more violent. We must find the way to keep him gentle. But by rash, unprincipled, or slanderous talk, he brings open or secret vengeance upon himself. Would we duly consider our own ignorance as to future events, it would cut off many idle words which we foolishly multiply. Fools toil a great deal to no purpose. They do not understand the plainest things, such as the entrance into a great city. But it is the excellency of the way to the heavenly city, that it is a high-way, in which the simplest wayfaring men shall not err, Isa 25:8. But sinful folly makes men miss that only way to happiness. | 
