The power of speech

In Proverbs a number of sayings including several editorial clusters are concerned with wise and foolish ways of using human powers of communication. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, that a soft tongue will break a bone (25:15), that the lips of the wise will preserve them (14:3), and that the speech of the worthless is like a scorching fire (16:27). The tongue is a little member and boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small tongue of fire (Jas. 3:5-8). In societies based oral rather than written traditions, it is the tongue rather than the pen that is mightier than the sword. The wise in Israel acknowledge that people can be wounded or healed (12:18; 25:15), destroyed or delivered (11:9), stirred up or calmed down (15:1) by words. Many of the sayings assert that the proper and improper uses of speech have predictable results and that human beings have to live with the consequences of what they say (12:13-14; 18:20-21). When fools talk, they advertise their ignorance and expose themselves to ridicule and danger (18:6-7). The more you talk the more likely you are to make a mistake (10:19), and even fools can appear to be wise if they keep their mouths shut (17:27-28).
Carefulness consistently teaches the wise to be careful of what they say (13:3; 21:23), to think before they speak (15:28; 16:23; 18:13), and to keep quiet as much as possible (11:12; 12:23). The names for body parts connected with speech are used more frequently in Proverbs than generic terms such as talking or speaking. Thus we can understand the figurative references of statements such as a gentle tongue are a tree of life. Taken as a literal and definite statement, a saying such as truthful lips endure for ever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment (12:19) might seem like wishful thinking on the part of the speaker. But as a figure of speech concerned with the purposes of G-d, it has the force of a faith claim.
It may be human nature to relish tasty morsels of gossip but the wise know enough to avoid talebearers (11:13, whisperers (16:28), and spreaders of slander (10:18). Quarrels are precipitated by whisperers (26:20), and a backbiting tongue brings forth angry looks (25:23). Disclosing another’s secret is to be avoided, because it may bring shame upon you (25:9-10). Only evildoers listed to wicked lips, and only liars’ give heed to a mischievous tongue (17:4). Those who belittle their neighbors lack sense (11:12), and whoever utters slander is a fool (10:18).
On the other side of slander, flattery is also a perversion of truth. The wise must avoid either giving or being taken in by flattery. Honey is used as a metaphor for flattery; it is sweet, but swallowing too much of it is not healthy (25:27). Aman who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet (29:5), and a flattering mouth works ruin (26:28). Lying is an obvious misuse of the powers of speech. A person who lies and then says, I am only joking, is likened to a madman who throws firebrands (26:18-19).
Many of the sayings assert that the proper and improper uses of speech have predictable results and that human beings have to live with the consequences of what they say (12:13-14; 18:20-21). Matthew 12:36-37 states you will be held accountable for every word you speak.
When speech is misused it can stir up anger and start arguments (15:1 and 18:6), but good sense, wisdom, and understanding make a person slow to anger and reluctant to enter into a quarrel (14:29; 15:18, 19:11; 20:3). It is said to be as foolish to meddle in someone else’s quarrel, as it is to take a passing dog by the ears (26:17). The wise observe that an argument, once started, is difficult to stop. In 17:14 they advise their listeners to quit before the quarrel breaks out, to keep aloof from strife (20:3), and to overlook an offense (19:11). 10:12 states that hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses, and the wise turn away wrath (29:8). 19:19 says a hot temper is considered a serious character flaw. Anger can be habit-forming, and people with quick tempers act foolishly and stir up strife (14:17, 29; 15:18; 26:21; 29:22).
Only fools give full vent to their anger: the wise person quietly holds it back (29:11). As bad as anger is, jealousy is worse! (27:4). Patience and self-control, on the other hand, are virtues. It is better to win control over yourself than over whole cities (14:17 and 16:32), equally, a person without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls (25:28).