Bible Verses About Waiting to Speak

“When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.”

“Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.”

“He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.”

“The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.”

“Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.”

“He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.”

“A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit. Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue.”

“Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few.”

“Teach me, and I will be silent. Help me understand how I have erred.”

“Therefore, the prudent keep silent in such times, for the days are evil.”

“Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”

“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

“For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.”

“Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue.”

“A man takes joy in a fitting reply — and how good is a timely word!”

“We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal. Consider ships as well. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot is inclined. In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be! Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”

“A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.”