What does it mean that a fool vents all his feelings (Proverbs 29:11)?

A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.''

A fool will pour out all that he knows, or thinks he knows, without regard to the need or condition of those to whom he speaks; and without considering the damage he might cause. He may even pride himself on being "frank and outspoken," while actually crude and ill-mannered. A wise man, on the other hand, will he careful to weigh well what he speaks, taking time to consider the implications that might easily be attached to his words. Not that he will in any way be deceitful, but he will consider the condition and the need of those to whom he speaks.

The vexation of the fool breaks out in immediate and uncontrollable anger. He forgets God, himself, and everybody else. On the other hand, he is prudent who conceals rather than exposes shame; he feels the insult, instead of despising his brother, and steeling his own breast in worldly pride. But his quiet spirit adds no fuel to the flame, and helps the offender perhaps to judge his unbridled impropriety. How prudent to ignore such provocations, to conceal shame not only from others but from ourselves!

But there is a bridle needed also. Hence he that guards his mouth keeps his soul. As a good man said, one should think twice before speaking once. If any offend not in word, he is a perfect man (of thorough integrity), able to bridle the whole body also. How much of sorrow and shame he spares himself, and others who avenge a little folly by despising the wisdom they themselves lack! On the other hand, he that goes about blatant, opening his lips wide to tell all he thinks, feels, or hears of others, shall have the destruction which his malicious folly deserves.

Men who stand out from their fellows for reputed wisdom are peculiarly exposed to the censoriousness of others far inferior in weight or worth, who cultivate the cheap ability of spying out a flaw to their disparagement. It is therefore of moment to cut off occasion from such as seek occasion. For as literally the heart is at the left hand by nature, wisdom gives it figuratively a quite different place for prompt effective action as it is called for. The fool is slow to apprehend the bearing of a principle, and his measures are awkward and vain. More than that, even in the ordinary walk of the day, he never discerns the right thing at the right time, but blurts out his folly at every opening of his mouth to each companion or passer-by.

One who has true knowledge does not try to blab out all he knows, but rather spare his words, for he knows the multitude of words always involves sin in some way. So that, in a true sense of understanding, he has a calm spirit (v. 27). Others observe this, so that even though one is a fool, he will be counted wise if he keeps quiet (v. 28). At least in that instance he is not acting as a fool.

The chapter closes with two verses which show the value of that silence which is said to be golden, and even of that which is but leaden, not positive but merely negative or seeming. He that has knowledge spares his words, aware of what is far better; the man of understanding is of a cool spirit, knowing the mischief of inconsiderateness and impetuosity. And this is so true, that even a fool, when by his experience of many a buffet profits to hold his tongue, gains credit for wisdom he does not deserve; as he that shuts his lips habitually is counted prudent. The day is not yet come for the earth when a king, the King, shall reign in righteousness, and princes rule in judgment. Then a man, for indeed there is but One on whose shoulder the weight of such government rests, shall be as a hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. Then the fool shall no more be called noble, nor the crafty said to be bountiful. But the day is at hand, dark as its dawn must be and terrible for the ungodly, Jews, Gentiles, and above all those that now name the Lord's name in vain.

Here is a very wonderful thing. Some of us might be a little hasty in spirit. Thank God we have a greater Spirit than our spirit, that is the Holy Spirit, and He can help us to check that quick retort that might come to the lips when anger and feelings rise. I find this linked with knowledge. It is one thing to have knowledge it is another thing to apply it. Mr Darby once said that spiritual things in the hands of an unspiritual man is like a 'sword in the hands of a child or of a drunken man'[1]. Well, you know the damage that could be done by a drunken man if he had a sword; he would be absolutely irresponsible, and what awful damage he could cause. So a great deal of knowledge of the Bible and of truths used in an uncontrolled way as far as one's spirit is concerned can cause much damage amongst the saints. One such way is to impress upon the saints of one's mind without any gracious consideration, but self control will prevent this; it is a wonderful feature. There is to be no anger or a pressing in a self asserting spirit in the application of this knowledge, but we are to use it in patience, in meekness, and under the control of the Spirit of God. What a wonderful thing that is. We hear a lot today, you will excuse the expression, of 'blowing one's top', that is out as far as the Christian company is concerned. What a shameful thing when brethren express themselves in this way when they gather together to talk about the things of God, things that we have been speaking about today, the liberty that we have in Christ Jesus and many, many other features of truth. Yet we sometimes think we can express ourselves in anger, in self assertiveness in talking about divine things! It is surely a nauseous thing in the sight of heaven. Instead, how precious in His sight is the spirit of meekness, the control of the Holy Spirit, and self control in dealing with these things.

However, Job, basing his words on the feeling he has expressed, says he will not restrain his mouth, but will speak in the anguish of his spirit and complain in the bitterness of his soul (v.11). If we give way to our feelings, the effects will always be this way: we shall not be able to restrain our mouths. Sober wisdom and concern for the truth will teach us to restrain our words, but our feelings will lead us to express ourselves unadvisedly. "Am I a sea," Job asks, that is, a huge, uncontrolled creature, or simply a sea serpent, so bent on its own will that Job's friends think it necessary to impose their authority upon him (v.12).

"If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth. Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife."

A fool's sense of right and wrong is badly corrupted, so that though his way is grossly bad, it is right to him. But for how long? He needs no counsel from anyone, while one who is wise is glad to receive good counsel (v. 15). Also, the bad temper of a fool makes itself evident very quickly (v. 16), for he is ignorant of how to control himself. "But a prudent man covers shame." He controls his anger, so that even the shame of what others do is not uncovered by him. This does not mean that he hides the criminal activity of others, for there are limits.