The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.

Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.

Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them. ... There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. ... The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.