Proverbs 16:21

The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

Ver. 21. The wise in heart shall be called prudent.] He shall have the style and esteem of an intelligent, though not, haply, of an eloquent man. Of some it may be said, as Solinus a saith of his poly-histor to his friend Antius, Fermentum (ut ita dicam) cognitionis, ei magis in esse, quam bracteas eloquentiae deprehendas, - You may find more worth of wisdom in them than force of words. Bonaventure requireth to a perfect speech congruity, truth, and ornament. This latter some wise men want, and it is their ornament that they neglect ornament, as Cicero writes of Atticus, b and as Beza writes of Calvin, that he was facundiae contemptor et verborum parcus, sed minime ineptus scriptor - a plain but profitable author.

And the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.] That is, eloquence with prudence edifieth, and is of singular use for the laying forth of a man's talent to the good of others. As one being asked whether light was pleasant, replied, That is a blind man's question; c so if any ask whether eloquence and a gracious utterance be useful in the Church of God, it is an insulse d and inficete e question. Zaneby, speaking of Calvin and Viret - who were preachers together at Geneva when he first came there out of Italy - uses these words: Sicut in Calvino insignem doctrinam, sic in Vireto singularein eloquentiam, et in commovendis affectibus efficacitatem admirabar; f i.e., As Calvin I admired for excellent learning, so did I Viret no less for his singular eloquence and efficacy in drawing affections. Beza also was of the same mind, as appears by that epigram of his:

“Gallica mirata est Calvinum ecclesia nuper,

Quo nemo docuit doctius:

Et miratur adhuc fundentem mella Viretum,

Quo nemo fatur dulcius.”

a Solin., Praefat.

b De libris Attici scriptum reliquit Cicero eos hoc ipso fuisse ornatos quod ornamenta negligerent.

c τυφλου ερωτημα .

d Lacking wit or sense; dull, insipid, stupid; senseless, absurd.

e Unfacetious; not witty

f Zanch., Miscel., Ep. Ded.