Proverbs 18:6
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A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
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A fool prefers talking to listening, especially when being corrected. He would rather argue and contradict than humble himself to instruction. Lacking respect for authority and others, he speaks out when he ought to be silent. His rebellious speech leads to fighting, and his inappropriate remarks beg for someone to beat him with a rod.
Here is another common theme in Solomon's Proverbs - ruling your speech. The tongue is a powerful thing; it can be used for good or evil, life or death (18:21). A wise man studies to answer (15:28); he is slow to speak and says no more than necessary (17:27-28). But a fool pours out foolishness, letting everyone know he is a fool.
Fools cannot control their mouths (Eccl 10:12-14). Fools talk a lot. They talk without thinking; and they talk when they should not. They are disrespectful and irritating. They question things that are not to be questioned; they wrangle about words to no profit. "A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul" (8:7).
Fools have no discretion. They do not know that different situations call for different words and tones. They just plow ahead verbally, like the proverbial bull in a china shop. Their quarrelsome approach to conversation is offensive and confrontational, resulting in hurt feelings, contention, and strife. They cause fights, and they deserve to be beaten!
Solomon taught that soft answers turn away wrath and end fights (15:1). Consider Gideon's wisdom, as he flattered Ephraim to take away their anger at not being invited to the early stages of the battle (Judges 8:1-3). Wise men know such discretion, but fools can never learn it. There is only one way to teach a fool - many stripes from a rod (26:3).
Paul commanded saints to always speak with grace (Col 4:6; Eph 4:29). If any salty correction or debate is needed, only a small amount is to be used. Wide-open debate and wrangling are wrong (I Tim 6:3-5; Titus 3:9). Saints do not argue in extended blustery exchanges about anything! Once a fool has been corrected, no more air or words should be wasted on him (26:4-5). Let him fall into his ditch (Matt 7:6; 15:12-14).
But fools will be meddling. They want to question everything. They want to argue any and every point. They want to object. They want to get their two-cents in. They want to remember past offences. They want to correct details. They want to whisper about others. They are saucy and insolent. They are critical and negative. They are crude and rude. They are fools - they cause contention and fights - they deserve to be beaten severely.
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