משלי, פרק י״ז, פסוק ז׳

People are measured not merely by their actions, but by the harmony between their character and the way they speak. When a person's words clash with their true nature and social standing, the resulting flaw is deeply jarring. This dynamic is illustrated through two opposite figures, beginning with a lowly, despicable individual who is often characterized by extreme stinginess [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ, עמנואל הרומי, מלבי״ם]. For such a person, excessive and grandiose speech is entirely unfitting. This excess can take several forms. It may manifest as arrogant boasting, which only serves to highlight the person's own disgrace, making silence a far better choice [רש״י, ביאור שטיינזלץ, עמנואל הרומי]. Alternatively, it can refer to preaching morals and wisdom; because the lowly person does not practice these virtues, his audience will naturally reject his words [רלב״ג, אמרי דעת], just as he himself has no genuine desire to hear them [אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד]. In the context of his stinginess, this excess might also appear as exaggerated promises, where he pledges to give far more than he actually intends [מלבי״ם]. Finally, excessive speech can be understood as using words like a drawn bowstring, shooting verbal arrows to harm others [עמנואל הרומי].

In stark contrast stands the noble individual, a highly respected person known for good character and generosity [ביאור שטיינזלץ, עמנואל הרומי, מלבי״ם]. A powerful logical progression emerges: if arrogant or empty words are entirely unacceptable for a lowly person, outright lies are infinitely more disgraceful for someone of high standing [עמנואל הרומי]. A noble person compromises their integrity when they exaggerate their achievements, inventing acts of kindness that never truly happened [ביאור שטיינזלץ], or when they promise to volunteer and give but completely fail to follow through [עמנואל הרומי, מלבי״ם]. Just as the lowly individual instinctively rejects wisdom, the truly wise and generous person is naturally disgusted by lies and empty falsehoods [אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד, רלב״ג].

However, there is a fascinating nuance to how a noble person might employ a form of untruth. Sometimes, a generous individual might speak harshly, much like a father disciplining a child. While the words sound severe, they are technically a falsehood, because the person's inner reality remains entirely filled with love and a pure desire to do good [אלשיך].