Proverbs 12:14

A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of [his] mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.

Ver. 14. A man shall be satiated with good, &c.] There are "empty vines that bear fruit to themselves." Hos 10:1 And as empty casks sound loudest, and base metal rings shrillest, so many empty tattlers are full of discourse - sed cui bono? as he said. Plato and Xenophon thought it fit and profitable that men's speeches at meals should be written. And if Christians should so do, what kind of books would they be! And yet "for every idle word account must be given," Mat 12:36 as for every good word there is "a book of remembrance." Mal 3:16 Much fruit will redound by holy speeches to ourselves - much to others. Paul shows that the very report of his bonds did a great deal of good in Caesar's house. Php 1:14 A poor captive maid was the means of Naaman's conversion, as afterwards the words of his servants were greater in operation with him than the words of the great prophet Elisha. One seasonable truth, falling upon a prepared heart, hath oft a strong and sweet influence. Sometimes also, though we know that which we ask of others as well as they do, yet good speeches will draw us to know it better by giving occasion to speak more of it, wherewith the Spirit works most effectually, and imprints it deeper, so that it shall be a more rooted knowledge than before; for that satiates the soul which is graciously known, and that is graciously known which the Spirit seals upon our souls. "In the morning, therefore, sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand, for thou kuowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good." Ecc 11:6

And the recompense of a man's hands shall be given unto him.] He "shall eat the fruit of his doings." Isa 3:10 "For the talk of the lips, if that be all, tendeth only to penury." Pro 14:23 Nos non eloquimur magna, sed vivimus, said they of old. Origen's teaching and living were said to be both one. He cannot look to be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, qui operibus destruit quod recto docet - who says one thing and doeth another. A smooth tongue and a rough hand carries away double judgment.