“Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, much less lying lips to a prince” (Proverbs 17:7).
Like oil and water, some things just do not go together. They are incongruous.
In this proverb, Solomon speaks of two glaring incongruities:
- A fool who employs excellent speech. By definition, a fool has nothing of any value to say. Dressing up his vapid thoughts in “smooth words and flattering speech” (Rom. 16:18) only makes things more dangerous, especially for the gullible and undiscerning. Many a politician and false teacher has disguised his evil intentions with “dynamic”/excellent speech.
- A civil ruler who lies. As an accountable minister of Jehovah (Rom. 13:4), a civil leader only has divine authorization to be honest and truthful. A functioning and peaceful society can only be built and maintained by trust between citizens and their rulers. Lying civic leaders erode the very trust they need to serve well and with longevity. The prophet Daniel served in the governments of Babylon (Dan. 2:1), Media (Dan. 6:1, 9:1), and Persia (Dan. 10:1) because of his integrity and honesty. May his tribe increase!
