Proverbs 10:21

The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
– Proverbs 10:21

The righteous receive instruction and grow in wisdom. Because they have a store of wisdom, they also speak and give out wisdom (Proverbs 12:18; 15:4). The emphasis is usually placed on the life-giving nature of their instruction. Here it speaks of the abundance they have to give to others. The word for feed indicates to tend a flock or put them to pasture. The word used for fool here speaks of one who despises wisdom, mocks, and is quarrelsome. He stubbornly refuses wise instruction (Proverbs 1:7; 12:15). Because they have no store of wisdom, they cannot feed others as the righteous do and they starve themselves.

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