King James Version (KJV)

Ecclesiastes 10:12

“The words of a wise man's mouth [are] gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.”

Verse in context — Ecclesiastes 10

If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom [is] profitable to direct.

Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.

The words of a wise man's mouth [are] gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

The beginning of the words of his mouth [is] foolishness: and the end of his talk [is] mischievous madness.

A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

Reflections on life’s meaning and the pursuit of lasting purpose in God.