Proverbs 10:31 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 10:31 mean?

Proverbs 10:31 says that people who are upright and fair-minded speak words that help others become wiser, while those who speak in twisted or harmful ways will eventually be silenced. The verse draws a sharp line between the lasting value of wise speech and the eventual downfall of corrupt talk.

In the book of Proverbs, these sayings are presented as practical wisdom from a teacher (traditionally Solomon) to anyone seeking to live well. The verse uses strong imagery to show that the words of a just person have a positive, lasting effect, while a "froward" (crooked or perverse) tongue leads to ruin. This fits the larger theme of Proverbs 10, which contrasts the outcomes of wise and foolish living.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 10:31

• "just" (צַדִּיק, tsaddiq): This word means someone who is righteous or upright in character. The verse highlights that wisdom comes from people who are genuinely fair and good, not just anyone.
• "froward" (תַּהְפֻּכוֹת, tahpukhot): This word describes something twisted, perverse, or morally crooked. The verse warns that speech coming from a twisted heart will not last.
• "cut out" (כָּרַת, karat): This verb means to cut off or remove. The image is strong—harmful speech will be decisively ended, not just ignored.

Why Proverbs 10:31 matters

• Proverbs 10:31 clarifies that wise words are not just about intelligence but about character; wisdom flows from a just life, not just cleverness.
• The verse warns that destructive or corrupt speech has consequences, reinforcing the idea that words reveal and shape a person’s destiny.
• This proverb fits into a larger pattern in Proverbs 10, where each saying draws a contrast between the outcomes of the righteous and the wicked, helping the reader see the real-world results of their choices.