Proverbs 18:4

Modern

The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

Traditional

The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

Literal

The words of the mouth of a man are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a flowing brook.

Latin

Aqua profunda verba ex ore viri, et torrens redundans fons sapientiæ.

Hebrew

English

The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

Words reflect a person's character, like water springs from the earth (see also Proverbs 10:20; 12:23; 16:23; compare James 3:10–12).

Theme notes and profiles

Proverbs 20:5
The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.
Proverbs 10:11
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
Colossians 4:6
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Proverbs 13:14
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning one from the snares of death.
John 4:14
But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.”
John 7:38–39
Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’”
Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Matthew 12:34
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
Psalm 78:2
I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the beginning,
Proverbs 16:22
Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.