out of the mouths of babes

out of the mouths of babes

Children, though inexperienced, are capable of saying wise, insightful, or mature things. So we're in the museum and my five-year-old says to this guy, "Hey, mister! No touching! Can't you read the sign?" Out of the mouths of babes, huh? A: "It's OK, Mommy. I know you're just upset because you're tired." B: "Thank you, sweetheart. Out of the mouths of babes."
See also: babe, mouth, of, out
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

Out of the mouths of babes (oft times come gems).

Prov. Children occasionally say remarkable or insightful things. Mr. and Mrs. Doyle were quietly bickering in the kitchen when their seven-year-old daughter came in and said, "You guys should get counseling." After a surprised pause, Mrs. Doyle remarked, "out of the mouths of babes." Child: Don't eat so much candy, Mommy. Candy is bad for your teeth. Mother: out of the mouths of babes oft times come gems.
See also: babe, mouth, of, out
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

out of the mouths of babes

Young and inexperienced persons often can be remarkably wise, as in She's only six but she said, quite rightly, that Harry was afraid of the sitter-out of the mouths of babes, Mother said . This expression is a shortening and revision of expressions in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. In Psalms 8:2, God ordains strength out of the mouth of babes and sucklings; in Matthew 21:16, praise comes from this source. Later generations changed strength and praise to wisdom.
See also: babe, mouth, of, out
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

out of the ˌmouths of ˈbabes (and ˈsucklings)

(saying) used when a small child has just said something that seems very wise or clever: It was my daughter who told me I should enjoy life more. She’s only four years old, but out of the mouths of babes...
See also: babe, mouth, of, out
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

out of the mouths of babes

The young and innocent are often unexpectedly wise. This term originated in the Old and New Testaments. The Book of Psalms (8:2) has God ordaining strength out of the mouths of babes and sucklings; the Gospel of Matthew (21:16) has praise emerging from the same source. Over the centuries the meaning was changed to wisdom.
See also: babe, mouth, of, out
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • a word to the wise is enough
  • a word to the wise is sufficient
  • (as) wise as Solomon
  • a word to the wise
  • not born yesterday
  • be new to the game
  • beginner's luck
  • speak down to
  • speak down to (one)
  • talk down to
References in periodicals archive
"Trump is the naughtiest person I've ever heard of so mad." Out of the mouths of babes.
WILD CHILD GIVING TRUMP A THUMPING; Star of the week
Did you have to get it all cut off and wait 'til it grew again?" While Charlie piped up with, "Well, it doesn't look that good!" Out of the mouths of babes!
Just keep your hair on, gran! PS25; EDITED BY yourletters FIONA PARKER for winning letter Kids' Talk
Out of the mouths of babes. A cute-looking youngster watched on the sidelines as her brother played football at the weekend and ventured up to the father of one of his friends.
The Whisperer
It is in these circumstances that I am reminded of the quotation from the Bible: "Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings comes forth truth".
Printing money is a laughable solution; VOICE OF THE NORTH
"Out of the Mouths of Babes: Parenting from a Child's Perspective" is a different sort of parenting manual encouraging parents to parent reactively to their child's needs, as every child has a different personality and temperament.
Out of the Mouths of Babes
But out of the mouths of babes comes the truth and the truth is that heroes can't rest on their laurels.
It's child's play; Kids blow whistle on AWOL Boro stars
Out of the mouths of babes, and even Olympic medallists, cometh wisdom.
Young Olympians deserve praise for words of wisdom
Out of the mouths of babes and children - the world as seen by the under-10s.
THE BIRMINGHAM POST: Young dreams
The saying, 'Out of the mouths of babes,' certainly proved true when little Brandon Knott saved his dad's life by nagging him about using his seatbelt.
Editorial Comment Wise words
`Wisdom seems to come out of the mouths of babes in these gatherings as we all feel like novices in the effort, but it does grow more apparent that we were brought together for a reason beyond us.'
Cincinnati's open house (where Jewish-Arab reconciliation can take place)
If they can do it, it doesn't mean anything anymore." Out of the mouths of babes springs forth, unfiltered, an eye-opening, deeply disturbing conviction.
It's time to cross into forbidden territory