Modern Meaning
What Does “Out of the mouths of babes” Mean?
Wisdom or truth spoken by children or the inexperienced.
Biblical Origin
Where Does This Phrase Come From?
The psalmist marvels that God establishes his praise through the most unlikely sources — infants and nursing children. Jesus quoted this psalm in Matthew 21:16 when children in the Temple praised him. The phrase entered English as an expression of surprise at wisdom from unexpected sources.
The phrase appears in Psalm 8:2 in the King James Version of the Bible, first published in 1611.
Usage Today
How Is It Used Today?
Said when a child or novice says something unexpectedly wise. "She asked why we can't just be nice to each other — out of the mouths of babes."
The KJV Verse
Psalm 8:2
“Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength.”
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