Christianity
Proverbs 18Life and Death in the Tongue
Summary
Proverbs 18 focuses on speech, pride and relationships. It warns against isolating oneself, delighting only in voicing opinions, and answering a matter before hearing it out. The words of a gossip are like tasty morsels that go down deep. The name of the LORD is a strong tower where the righteous are safe, while the rich trust their wealth as a fortified city. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, a wife is a good gift, and some friends stick closer than a brother.
Key verse
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
Proverbs 18:21
Themes
- Power of Words
- Listening
- Refuge in God
- Friendship
Text
Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Text: King James Version (1611/1769), public domain.
Across traditions
Christianity
James 3: Taming the TongueJames 3 compares the tongue to a small rudder that steers a ship and a spark that sets a forest ablaze, expanding the claim of Proverbs 18:21 that death and life are in the power of the tongue.
Islam
Surah Al-Hujurat (49): Verify Before You ActQuran 49:6 tells believers to verify reports brought by an evil-liver before acting, and 49:12 forbids suspicion, spying and backbiting. Proverbs 18:8 and 18:13 likewise warn against gossip and judging before hearing.
Questions about Proverbs 18
What does death and life are in the power of the tongue mean?
Proverbs 18:21 teaches that words have real consequences, able to build up or destroy, and that those who love to talk will live with the results of their speech.
Who is the friend that sticketh closer than a brother?
Proverbs 18:24 describes a loyal friend who stays nearer than family. Many Christians apply the verse to Jesus, though the proverb itself speaks of human friendship.