What does Proverbs 12:25 mean?
“Anxiety weighs down the heart of a man, but a good word cheers it up.”
Quick answer
Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. The right word at the right moment lifts a heavy heart.
What it means
Anxiety is heavy — Proverbs names what every anxious person knows.
A "good word" is given by someone else — encouragement, truth, comfort. We are made to receive help through words.
The proverb sets a small but profound mission: speak good words. They matter more than we know.
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Original BibleDawn explanation · reviewed 2026-06-07. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.