babbling fools

The wise lay up knowledge,

but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.

Proverbs 10:14

When fools speak it is never a good thing. Proverbs ten is the “opener” to the section of the book of Proverbs that is a loosely organized collection of the wise sayings of Solomon. One unique subtheme only found in this chapter is the character known as the “babbling fool”. The statements here underscore the damage done when fools use words to get their way.

We can deduce three things from what is said about “babbling fools”:

1. Their babbling ruins them (Proverbs 10:8). Wise people know when to share and when to keep knowledge to themselves. Babblers gush it out to their own shame and folly.

2. Their babbling is provocative (Proverbs 10:10). Gossip and secrets are their stock and trade and that draws people into their circle of ruin.

3. Their babbling ruins others (Proverbs 10:14). They bring ruin to all who will listen to them. It is the “gift” they bring to any gathering. They leave a wake of misery and destroyed relationships in their path.

How should we respond then to a babbling fool? First, turn the spigot off on their stream of verbal diarrhea. Some fools need to be confronted straightforward and with blunt concern. “I don’t think this is right for you to talk about right now.” “You need to share this only with the people involved.” “I have no desire to hear this… it is wrong of you to share it with anybody! Just stop it!”

For those who use provocative tone or insinuate things slyly, don’t click their click bait! They need to know that dressing up their “bad talk” as a “prayer request” or as “seeking help” is both sinful and foolish. Offer to pray right then and there, not for their tale against another, but for them: “Lord, I pray you will go with this person as they seek to talk to another person about this concern. Convict them of their need not to share this with others.”

Some babbling fools need to be cut out of your life altogether. A pattern of constant babbling will leave ruinous relationships behind. This destroys marriages, erects unnecessary barriers in families, perpetuates lies, rips apart churches, misunderstands boundaries, and is exploited by political parties for divisive power grabbing. Stay far away from a babbling fool who creates chaos in their path. Warn them, confront them, and wisely refuse to give them a platform in your life for their ruinous rambling to continue destroying what is good.