Context

This line is written by the mysterious author of 2 Samuel 14:3. That's all we know.

Joab, one of King David's commanders, is trying to get a wise woman to help him convince David to let his exiled son Absalom return home. Joab knows David won't listen to him, so he just has this wise gal say it for him. And it works!

Where you've heard it

Just start an argument, and you're likely to hear this quote sooner or later. "Look, Bartleby, there's no way that's double the stuff in those Oreos." "Okay, Natasha, so you're accusing Nabisco of false advertising?" "Hey, don't put words in my mouth! I'm just saying they're taking some creative license with the naming of the cookies."

You might also hear this quote flipped around, with people taking words out of your mouth instead of putting them in. Meatloaf sings about it in "You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth." What's the lesson here? Basically, watch your mouth.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

Not too pretentious, so let 'er rip when needed.