Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool,
much less are lying lips to a prince.

Proverbs 17:7

Skipping the next two chapters that do not mention our topic for these 31 Days, we now find ourselves in chapter 17 of Proverbs where fool and folly and foolish are mentioned six times collectively. And Solomon does not disappoint with his continued pleas to his sons to put away anything that even smacks of being a fool! Let’s dig in!

This description of a fool uses reverse psychology. Instead of stating what a fool’s speech is like, our verse for today explains what a fool’s speech cannot be like, even though a fool may try. It is a rather harsh statement and is compared to lies told by a prince; which few people will forgive.

The Hebrew word for ‘fitting’ carries a meaning of praiseworthy, lovely, becoming. We don’t use this exact form of this word very much in modern English. Still, we might say, “Your new car just fits you!” or “What a great fit!” Staying physically fit or mentally fit is also a more common use of this word. But, all these uses have the same connotation as used in our key verse. Namely, it is a term of excellence and commendation for the person being referenced. Included in the praise is the idea that the thing or idea or item being discussed is a consistent, obvious, attractive and perfect choice made by the person being complemented. 

Think of poor Cinderella and that glass slipper! Her two snippy step-sisters had no real hope of fitting a foot into Cinderella’s slipper. No matter how hard they tried to push and cram their feet into that slipper, neither of them force their feet into the slipper. Why? Because it was not a good or lovely fit. In fact, if either of them would try to walk with that slipper ‘on’, it would look quite ludicrous and unbecoming. Only Cinderella’s foot was the perfect and lovely fit. She could walk effortlessly in the slipper (well, better with two slippers) and looked just lovely doing so, even in her ragged clothes. Allegorically, it was a picture of her being fit for Prince Charming. Conversely, the step-sisters were not fit, in any way, for any prince.

Excellent speech is the glass slipper. A fool is the step-sister. And a wise person is Cinderella. 

Ecclesiastes 10:12-15

Words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, while lips of a fool consume him; in the beginning his talking is folly and the end of it is wicked madness. Yet the fool multiplies words. No man knows what will happen, and who can tell him what will come after him? The toil of a fool so wearies him that he does not even know how to go to a city. 

Even when a fool tries to speak wisely, that speech just will not fit into the glass slipper of excellent or wise speech. The reason? Because the fool does not know when to stop talking. Initially, one might give this person the benefit of the doubt and hope that some wisdom has infiltrated the heart of the fool. But, he or she just keeps babbling away until, rather quickly, the foolishness of the heart pours out of their mouth and ends up as sounding very much like wicked madness! 

What a disagreeable encounter for everyone except for the fool who still believes their foolishness is quite astounding, in the know and helpful to everyone. Until the fool has a change of heart, which can only happen by accepting God’s mercy and grace, the glass slipper of excellence will not fit in their box!

May excellence and wisdom always fit in your box and in mine!