+IV. The origin of idle and worthless talking.+ "The heart of the wicked is little worth." "Fools die for want of wisdom." Where there is no moral wisdom there can be no real worth; no thoughts can be generated in the heart that is not under the influence of Divine teaching that will supply the needs of needy men. As is the fountain so must be the stream. "The tree is known by its fruit. O, generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" (Matt. xii. 33-34). _OUTLINES AND SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS._ Verse 19. A man of inordinate talk runs inordinate risk. He must be a God that can talk all the time and never trespass. And, therefore, as blunders "come home to roost," he is a _prosperous_ man who reduces the volume of his speech.--_Miller._ The fool talks for ever upon nothing, not because he is full, but because he is empty; not for instruction, but for the pure love of talking. . . . The sphere of social intercourse that stimulates the conversational powers at the same time teaches the wholesome discipline of the tongue--that beautiful accomplishment of silence which, however, alike with its opposite grace, derives its chief loveliness as the fruit of Christian humility and kindness. The _wisdom_ is especially valuable under provocation (1 Sam. x. 27; 2 Kings xviii. 36). And even in the unbending of innocent recreation the discipline of godly sobriety is of great moment. The sins of this "little member" are not trifles.--_Bridges._ "Refraineth" as with a bridle, for we must by force bridle our tongue as an untameable member (Jas. iii. 2-8). _Xenocrates,_ in "Valerius Maximus," says, "I have been sometimes sorry that I spoke; I never have been sorry that I was silent."--_Fausset._ If thou be master-gunner spend not all That thou canst speak at once, but husband it, And give men turns of speech; do not forestall By lavishness thine one and others' wit, As if thou mad'st thy will. A civil guest Will no more talk all than eat all the feast.--_George Herbert._