Proverbs 15:28

The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth our evil things.
– Proverbs 15:28

This proverb is similar to Proverbs 15:2, but that one speaks of wise and fools and this speaks of the righteous and the wicked. The terms are not technically synonymous, but can be used for one another naturally because righteousness is a necessary consequence of wisdom, as wickedness is a necessary consequence of folly. The word for studieth means to meditate or muse. The word for answer means a response. In the first phrase, the reply of wisdom comes from the heart, or the mind. Put simply, the wise think before they speak and, therefore, they say better things (Proverbs 15:2; 16:23). By contrast, the wicked answer with their mouth rather than their mind. The word for poureth means to gush forth. Fools are quick to pour out their thoughtless opinions (Proverbs 10:19; 13:16; 29:11, 20; Ecclesiastes 10:12-14).

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