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An evildoer heeds wicked lips.
    A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.

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An evildoer listens to wicked lips,
    and a liar gives heed to a mischievous tongue.

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Excellent speech isn’t fitting for a fool,
    much less do lying lips fit a prince.

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Excess speech is not becoming to a fool;
    still less is false speech to a ruler.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 17.7 Or a noble

20 One who has a perverse heart doesn’t find prosperity,
    and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.

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20 The crooked of mind do not prosper,
    and the perverse of tongue fall into calamity.(A)

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27 He who spares his words has knowledge.
    He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.
28 Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise.
    When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.

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27 One who spares words is knowledgeable;
    one who is cool in spirit has understanding.(A)
28 Even fools who keep silent are considered wise;
    when they close their lips, they are deemed intelligent.(B)

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