Proverbs 10:14Wise men lay up knowledge, but the mouth of the foolish is near ruin.
The setting
Solomon's court, ~950 BC. The king contrasts two approaches: wise people who collect knowledge before speaking versus fools who talk themselves into trouble, Jerusalem.
The emotion here: concerned father warning about the power of words
The original word
tsaphan (צָפַן) — to treasure up, hide away, store like precious items in a vault
Why it matters
Ancient scribes literally 'laid up' knowledge on clay tablets and scrolls, storing wisdom for future use
Read with care
What most readers miss in Proverbs 10:14
The contrast is between storing UP knowledge versus pouring OUT foolishness - it's about timing and restraint
Common misconceptionPeople think this is just about being smart versus dumb, but it's specifically about the danger of speaking without thinking - wise people pause and consider.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Proverbs 10:14
Bible Genome reading
Proverbs 10:14 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Proverbs 10:14 comes from the book of Proverbs, written during the United Kingdom period. These words are attributed to Solomon. The dominant emotion in this verse is growing, with a comfort power of 40% and a tone that is reflective. It belongs to the wisdom genre of biblical literature. Key themes include wisdom, prudence. Notable phrases: wise men lay up knowledge; mouth of the foolish.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same growing
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
— Proverbs 22:6
“So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
— Romans 10:17
“He must increase, but I must decrease.”
— John 3:30
“Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
— Galatians 6:2
“He believed in Yahweh; and he reckoned it to him for righteousness.”
— Genesis 15:6
Your reflection
What does Proverbs 10:14 mean to you, today?
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