Proverbs 16:21 (DBY)

Passage

The wise in heart is called intelligent, and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

Nearby Context

Proverbs 16:19 Better is it to be of a humble spirit with the meek, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Proverbs 16:20 He that giveth heed to the word shall find good; and whoso confideth in Jehovah, happy is he.

Proverbs 16:21 The wise in heart is called intelligent, and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

Proverbs 16:22 Wisdom is a fountain of life for him that hath it; but the instruction of fools is folly.

Proverbs 16:23 The heart of the wise maketh his mouth intelligent, and upon his lips increaseth learning.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "called", "wise", "heart", "intelligent", "sweetness", "lips", "increaseth", and "learning". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "called" and "wise", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 20's "He that giveth heed to the word..." into verse 22's "Wisdom is a fountain of life for...", so "called" and "wise" belong inside that flow. In Proverbs context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "called" and "wise" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.