Mishlei 16-10  

Charisma

Key Concepts

Some individuals are blessed with a charisma or charm that causes people to pay attention to every word they have to say. Such individuals are born leaders because they attract followers who are eager to accept their guidance and direction.

A person with charisma may be a king or other highly placed person in society. In any case, people listening to him are likely to study every word that passes his lips, looking for hidden meanings. The listeners make an effort to interpret the significance of his words, even beyond whatever the speaker had in mind. In that sense the people treat the utterances of the charismatic individual as if they were magical.

All of this places a special responsibility on such an individual, especially when he has been granted authority to sit in judgement or make important political decisions.

Exploring Mishlei

 י =  קֶסֶם עַל שִׂפְתֵי מֶלֶךְ בְּמִשְׁפָּט לֹא יִמְעַל פִּיו

(10) There is a magical charm on the lips of a king;
let his mouth not betray him in judgment.

This proverb draws attention to the charismatic quality that may be possessed by a king or other highly placed individual. He has a responsibility to choose his words carefully because whatever issues from his lips, even in superficial talk, may be regarded by the listeners as magical, having significance beyond his intent. And so he must speak clearly and truly; his mouth must never betray him.

Learning Mishlei

(10) There is a magical charm — קֶסֶם
on the lips of a king — עַל שִׂפְתֵי מֶלֶךְ
so that his chance words
may be easily misinterpreted.

Let his mouth not betray him — לֹא יִמְעַל פִּיו.
in times of judgment — בְּמִשְׁפָּט.

Additional Insights

(1) Alternately, the proverb may be referring to Rabbis who lead their congregation. Even when important facts concerning a particular issue are withheld from them, Hashem helps them issue a true verdict. This may also be true of righteous kings whose words and judgements are guided by Hashem. (רש”י, רלב”ג, הגר”א)

(2) The words of the king are like magic in their authority. He has the benefit of information that is not available to ordinary people and so this gives added weight to his words. Accordingly, it is important for the king to take care in his judgements and to speak very clearly so that he is not misunderstood.
(אבן עזרא, רלב”ג, מצודות, רבינו יונה)

(3) The lips are external organ of speech and therefore superficial talk is associated with lips. The mouth is the internal organ of speech and therefore it is associated with more meangful expression. (מלבי”ם)

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