The preacher sought to learn acceptable words; written words of uprightness and truth.

Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you: Even break off your sins by righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; so that perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity.

sound speech that cannot be condemned, that he who is in opposition may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.

A city is exalted by the blessing of the upright, but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.

The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood; but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

There are those who speak like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise heals.

The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours out foolishness.

The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.

A fool's lips enter into strife, and his mouth calls for strokes.

The words of a talebearer are gulped down, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.