In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
In the mouth of the foolish (is) a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them - (cf. Psalms 36:11, "The foot of pride.") The fool's "rod of pride" is his tongue, wherewith he assails and strikes others. But it recoils on himself. The instrument of punishment is called a "rod," not a sword; to imply the contumely with which the proud shall be visited. The plural, "lips," in the Hebrew is joined with the verb singular. The lips-i.e, each one of the lips-of the wise preserveth them severally.