Proverbs 18:21

21 The tongue has power over life and death; those who indulge it must eat its fruit.

Proverbs 18:21 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 18:21

Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue
Of witnesses, according to the testimony they bear; of judges, according to the sentence they pass; of teachers, according to the doctrine they preach; of all men, who, by their well or ill speaking, bring death or life to themselves and others. Some, by their tongues, by the too free use of them, or falsehood they utter, are the cause of death to themselves and others; and some, by their silence, or by their prudent speech and prevalent intercession, secure or obtain life for themselves and others; yea, judgment at the last day will proceed according to a man's words, "By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned", ( Matthew 12:37 ) ; the tongue is the instrument either of a great deal of good, or of a great deal of evil; and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof;
that delight to be talkative; that love to use the tongue, whether in a good or in a bad way, shall accordingly be recompensed; shall enjoy the advantages or disadvantages arising from it.

Proverbs 18:21 In-Context

19 It is harder to win an offended brother than a strong city; their fights are like the bars of a fortress.

20 A person's belly will be filled with the fruit of his mouth; with what his lips produce he will be filled.

21 The tongue has power over life and death; those who indulge it must eat its fruit.

22 He who finds a wife finds a great good; he has won the favor of ADONAI.

23 The poor man speaks beseechingly, the rich man's answer is blunt.