Proverbs 23:8 Meaning and Explanation
“The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Eating with someone insincere will leave you sickened; even your careful speech will be wasted.
The Context of Proverbs 23:8
Consequence: intimacy with false-hearted people corrupts and wastes effort.
What Does Proverbs 23:8 Mean?
The verse uses vivid, visceral language: the food becomes indigestible, rejected by the body. This reflects the moral consequence of accepting hospitality from the false-hearted—the experience becomes repulsive once you recognize the deception, and you realize the relationship cannot be genuine.
Your sweet words (diplomacy, courtesy, reasoned speech) will be squandered because the other person has no true interest in honest exchange. You may speak wisely, but it will be lost on someone whose heart is closed or divided.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 23:8
What does Proverbs 23:8 mean?
Eating with someone insincere will leave you sickened; even your careful speech will be wasted.
What is the context of Proverbs 23:8?
Consequence: intimacy with false-hearted people corrupts and wastes effort.