John Gill Commentary Proverbs 15:28

"The heart of the righteous studieth to answer; But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things." — Proverbs 15:28 (ASV)

The heart of the righteous studies to answer. He thinks before he speaks, meditates what he should say, what answer to give to men; whether in things civil, natural, or religious; and what to return to the Lord when he is reproved by him; or what to say in prayer to him, or by way of thankfulness for mercies received from him; see (Proverbs 3:6) (Habakkuk 2:1).

Though our Lord advises his disciples, when summoned before their persecutors, not to meditate beforehand what they should answer, since they should have immediate assistance, (Luke 21:14); but this was in extraordinary cases; in common ones the observation of the wise man should be attended to.

A Jewish ^F21 writer renders the words, "the heart of the righteous meditates wormwood", or bitter things; see (Proverbs 5:4); as the judgment of God, death, and hell; this sense is mentioned by Aben Ezra, but rejected.

But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things without any previous thought and consideration, without fear or wit; in great abundance, as water out of a fountain; thus an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil things readily and at once, having no concern about the consequences of things, (Matthew 12:25); (See Gill on Proverbs 15:2).

---

FOOTNOTES:

• F21: Kabvenaki.