Proverbs 10:21 teaches us about the incredible power of our words. This verse shows us a clear contrast between two types of people: those who speak with wisdom and righteousness, and those who speak foolishly. The words of wise people help others grow and thrive, like food that nourishes the body. But people who lack wisdom end up hurting themselves with their foolish choices and words.
The Verse in Different Translations
Let's look at how different Bible versions translate this important verse:
What Does This Verse Mean?
Proverbs 10:21 gives us a powerful picture of how our words affect others and ourselves. Let's break down each part of this verse:
"The lips of the righteous nourish many"
The word "righteous" describes people who live according to God's ways. They make good choices, treat others well, and try to do what's right. These people use their words carefully and wisely.
The word "nourish" (or "feed" in some translations) is really important here. When you nourish something, you give it what it needs to grow healthy and strong. Just like food nourishes your body, good words nourish people's hearts and minds. When righteous people speak, they help others in many ways:
- They encourage people who are feeling down
- They teach important lessons about life
- They give wise advice when someone has a problem
- They share truth that helps people make good decisions
- They offer comfort when someone is hurting
Notice the verse says "many"—not just one or two people. When you speak wisely, your words can help lots of people. You might not even know how far your good words travel or how many lives they touch.
"But fools die for lack of sense"
The second part of the verse shows us the opposite picture. A "fool" in the Bible doesn't mean someone who isn't smart. It means someone who rejects wisdom and makes bad choices. They ignore good advice and don't think about the consequences of their actions.
"Lack of sense" means not having good judgment or wisdom. These people don't use their brains to think things through. They might be smart in some ways, but they don't have the wisdom to make good life decisions.
The word "die" is strong. It doesn't always mean physical death (though foolish choices can lead to that). It often means that fools destroy their own lives through their bad decisions. They miss out on good things because they refuse to listen to wisdom. Their lack of good judgment ruins their relationships, their opportunities, and their future.
Understanding the Full Context
Proverbs 10:21 is part of a larger collection of short wisdom sayings. In Proverbs 10, Solomon contrasts wise people with foolish people over and over. Let's look at the verses around verse 21 to understand it better:
Think about how important food is. Without food, you get weak, sick, and eventually die. Your body needs good nutrition to stay healthy. The Bible says our souls need "food" too—and that food is the wise, encouraging, truthful words that righteous people speak.
When someone shares wisdom with you, it's like they're giving you a healthy meal for your soul. When you share good words with others, you're feeding them something valuable that helps them grow stronger in life.
Practical Teaching Points
What can we learn from Proverbs 10:21 for our daily lives?
1. Your Words Have Power
Every day you have a choice about what comes out of your mouth. Will your words help people or hurt them? Will they build others up or tear them down? This verse reminds us that words aren't just sounds—they have real power to affect people's lives. Choose to use that power for good.
2. Focus on Helping Others, Not Just Yourself
The verse says righteous lips "nourish many." It's not about talking to make yourself look good or smart. It's about using your words to help other people. Before you speak, ask yourself: "Will this help someone? Will it encourage them? Will it teach them something valuable?"
3. Common Sense Isn't Actually That Common
The verse talks about dying "for lack of sense." Good judgment and wisdom don't come naturally to everyone. We have to work at developing common sense. We do this by reading the Bible, listening to wise people, learning from our mistakes, and thinking before we act. Don't assume you already know everything—keep learning and growing.
4. Foolishness Is a Choice
Being a fool isn't about intelligence—it's about choices. When you ignore good advice, refuse to learn from mistakes, or act without thinking, you're choosing foolishness. The good news is that if foolishness is a choice, then wisdom is also a choice. You can decide today to start making wiser decisions.
5. Righteous Living Leads to Helpful Speaking
Notice the verse connects "righteous" with having lips that nourish. You can't separate how you live from how you speak. If you want your words to help people, you need to live a good life first. Your words will flow from who you are on the inside. Work on becoming a righteous person, and your words will naturally help others.
Questions and Answers About Proverbs 10:21
Q: Does this mean I should always be talking and giving advice?
A: No! In fact, Proverbs has other verses that warn against talking too much. Nourishing others with your words means speaking wisely when it's needed—not just talking all the time. Sometimes the wisest thing to do is listen. Quality matters more than quantity when it comes to words.
Q: What if I'm not a teacher or leader? Can my words still nourish many people?
A: Absolutely! You don't need a special title to speak words that help others. A kind word to a classmate who's having a bad day, encouragement to a family member, or sharing something you learned—all of these can nourish people. Everyone's words have the power to help others, no matter who you are.
Q: How do I know if I'm being foolish or wise?
A: Here are some questions to ask yourself: Do you listen to advice from people you respect? Do you think about consequences before you act? Do you learn from your mistakes? Do you care about how your actions affect others? If you answered yes to these questions, you're on the path of wisdom. If you answered no, it's time to make some changes.
Q: Can someone who used to be foolish become wise?
A: Yes! That's one of the great messages of Proverbs. Wisdom can be learned. You weren't born either wise or foolish—these are things you develop through your choices. If you've been making foolish choices, you can change. Start reading the Bible, ask God for wisdom, listen to good advice, and practice making better decisions.
Q: What are some examples of how righteous lips "nourish" people today?
A: Modern examples include: a parent who patiently explains right from wrong to their child; a friend who tells you the truth (even when it's hard to hear) because they care about you; a teacher who believes in you and encourages your potential; a coach who gives wise advice about sports and life; a counselor who helps someone work through problems; or even a stranger who says a kind word at just the right moment.
Related Bible Verses
Here are other verses that teach similar lessons about words, wisdom, and foolishness:
References in Modern Culture
While Proverbs 10:21 isn't directly quoted in popular movies or TV shows, its message about the power of words appears everywhere in modern media:
In Movies and TV
Think about any movie with a wise mentor character—like Mr. Miyagi in "The Karate Kid" or Dumbledore in "Harry Potter." These characters nourish the main characters with their wise words and advice. Their guidance helps the heroes grow and succeed. That's exactly what Proverbs 10:21 is talking about.
On the flip side, many movies show characters who "die for lack of sense"—not always literally, but their foolish choices destroy their lives. Think of characters who ignore good advice, make reckless decisions, or refuse to listen to wisdom. They usually end up regretting it.
In Music and Quotes
The phrase "words have power" appears in countless songs and famous quotes. People understand that what we say matters. Teachers, coaches, parents, and leaders all know that their words can nourish young people and help them grow—or they can tear them down.
In Real Life
Think about the people in your own life whose words have helped you. Maybe a teacher who believed in you, a parent who encouraged you, a friend who gave you good advice, or even a YouTuber or podcaster whose wisdom made a difference. These people are living examples of "lips that nourish many."
How to Apply This Verse Today
Here are practical ways to apply the truth of Proverbs 10:21 to your life:
- Think before you speak: Take a moment to consider whether your words will help or hurt. Will they nourish the person you're talking to? If not, don't say them.
- Look for opportunities to encourage: Every day, try to say something that builds up at least one person. Compliment someone's work, thank someone for their help, or tell someone you believe in them.
- Share wisdom you've learned: When you learn something valuable from the Bible, a book, a teacher, or life experience, don't keep it to yourself. Share it with others who might benefit from it.
- Seek wisdom actively: Don't be a fool who lacks sense. Read the Bible regularly, ask questions, listen to wise people, and pray for God to give you wisdom. Make gaining wisdom a priority.
- Watch what you consume: The words you listen to affect the words you speak. If you fill your mind with foolish, negative, or harmful content, that's what will come out of your mouth. Choose to listen to and read things that are wise and good.
- Apologize when your words hurt: Nobody speaks wisely all the time. When your words hurt someone instead of nourishing them, admit it, apologize, and do better next time.
- Use social media wisely: In today's world, your "lips" include your texts, posts, and comments online. Make sure your digital words nourish people too. Before you post something, ask: "Will this help people or hurt them?"
Conclusion
Proverbs 10:21 gives us a beautiful picture of how our words can make a real difference in people's lives. When we speak with wisdom and righteousness, our words become like food that nourishes others. We help them grow, encourage them when they're down, guide them when they're confused, and comfort them when they hurt.
But the verse also gives us a serious warning. When we reject wisdom and act foolishly, we end up destroying ourselves. We miss out on the good life God wants for us because we refuse to use common sense. The choice is ours: Will we be people whose words help others, or will we be fools who hurt ourselves through our lack of wisdom?
The good news is that this isn't about being perfect. It's about choosing to grow in wisdom day by day. Every time you choose to speak encouraging words instead of mean ones, you're nourishing someone. Every time you decide to learn from wise advice instead of ignoring it, you're avoiding foolishness.
God wants to use your words to help others. He wants your "lips" to be a source of nourishment for many people. All you have to do is seek His wisdom, live righteously, and use your words carefully and kindly. When you do this, you'll be amazed at how much good your words can do in the world around you.
Remember: your words matter more than you think. Choose to use them wisely. Speak words that nourish. Be someone whose words help others grow. And avoid the foolishness that comes from ignoring good sense. Your future—and the futures of people around you—will be better for it.