“The lips of the wise spread knowledge”: This line repeats the thought expressed in verse 2. “The lips of the wise” means “the teaching of the wise,” “the sayings of the wise,” or simply “the wise.” “Spread” renders a verb that is normally used to mean “scatter” in an unfavorable sense. This is the only place in the Old Testament where it is used figuratively. Accordingly some interpreters prefer a small change in the Hebrew word to get “preserve.” However, “spread” in the sense of “promote” or “extend” is probably accurate. In some languages this thought may be expressed, for example, “Wise people cause others to learn” or “What the wise say teaches others knowledge.” Biblia Dios Habla Hoy says “The wise spread knowledge with their lips.”

“Not so the mind of fools” is literally “but not so the heart of fools.” This line contrasts “fools” with “the wise” in line 1. The negation “not so” refers to the spreading of knowledge in line 1. Note that Good News Translation makes the contrast clear with “not by fools.” Others say “but fools can’t do this.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .