A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
A fool uttereth all his mind (Hebrew, spirit; he rashly babbles out whatever is in his mind, without regard to persons, place, or time, Judges 16:17; Proverbs 12:23):
But a wise (man) keepeth it in till afterward - until a suitable time and place be presented. Gejer translates, 'backwards;' maketh his feelings, when pressing forward for utterance, to go back to their former receptacle. A fool's words are in the very front of his mind, and the gate is always open for their going forth: the wise man's words are in the further and interior recess of his mind (Proverbs 14:33).