We sometimes hear the saying, “The pen is mightier than the sword.” This concept of words being more powerful than physical force is similar to the idea expressed by Solomon: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (18:21). Words are powerful. The wise man shows us the power of both good and evil words.
The Power of Good Words
“The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of understanding” (10:21).
The words of the righteous do not only provide a benefit to themselves, but are able to help others as well. In this verse, Solomon says their words “feed many.” In our society, many people have the idea that to “feed many” requires great amounts of money and expansive government programs. Yet Solomon says “the lips of the righteous” are able to do this. How could such words help feed others? They impart words of wisdom that will help others to be more productive and self-sufficient, relying upon the blessings that God has given rather than being in need. Later in this study we will consider the Proverbs about work and stewardship. Teaching others in such ways of wisdom will help “feed many.”
“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad” (12:25).
We are all aware of how difficult it can be to deal with anxiety and worry. Some have become so weighed down by these that they are hindered from carrying out the regular activities of daily life. Solomon says that a “good word” is able to help one deal with the mental struggles of life. He says elsewhere, “A man has joy in an apt answer, and how delightful is a timely word!” (15:23). Often the best thing to help one get through a difficult situation is a “timely word” (cf. 25:11).
“By forbearance a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue breaks the bone” (25:15).
How might we expect a ruler to be persuaded of something? One method that may come to mind is that of force. Rulers understand force. They employ force or the threat of force to persuade men to do their will. Since this is what they understand, some believe that the only way to persuade a ruler is by using force, or the threat of force, against him. Yet the wise man says that forbearance or patience (ESV) may be used instead of force to accomplish the same purpose (generally speaking, however, this would not be true for every ruler). Solomon then compares this to breaking a bone. This can certainly be done with a blow or the impact from a fall. But the wise man says the same thing can be accomplished by a “soft tongue,” emphasizing the fact that words are far more powerful and effective than we often expect.
The Power of Evil Words
As good words are powerful, so also are evil words.
“With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous will be delivered” (11:9).
We might expect that the godless man, by his evil words, would be able to annoy, anger, or inconvenience his neighbor. But Solomon says that the evil words of the godless man are able to destroy his neighbor. Through lies, deception, slander, wicked counsel, and false testimony, one is able to ruin the life, and even jeopardize the soul, of another.
“A worthless man digs up evil, while his words are like scorching fire. A perverse man spreads strife, and a slanderer separates intimate friends” (16:27-28).
Solomon uses the illustration of fire to describe just how destructive the words of the evil man are. James used this same analogy when he discussed the power of the tongue: “So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell” (James 3:5-6). The strife that is caused by the “scorching fire” from the mouth of the worthless and perverse man is able to divide even the closest of friends.
“A stone is heavy and the sand weighty, but the provocation of a fool is heavier than both of them” (27:3).
Solomon again uses an analogy which can be easily understood. The weight of the stone or sand is able to be an oppressive burden. If it is great enough, one may even be crushed by it. He says “the provocation of a fool” is more burdensome and damaging than the weight of the stone or sand. The fool’s provocation, or wrath (KJV), could be applied broadly. But in the context, Solomon is describing the damaging words of the fool. In the verses before, he mentions boasting and praise that may come from one’s mouth (27:1-2). He continues this thought by describing the damaging effects of a fool’s words as he arrogantly uses them against others.
“For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down. Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife. The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the body. Like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross are burning lips and a wicked heart. He who hates disguises it with his lips, but he lays up deceit in his heart. When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart. Though his hatred covers itself with guile, his wickedness will be revealed before the assembly. He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone, it will come back on him. A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth works ruin” (26:20-28).
There are several points made about the power of words in the passage above. First, evil words not only cause strife, but sustain it. Evil words are the fuel to the fire. Just as a fire will die out when it has no fuel (wood), strife will die out when there is no fuel for it (the words of the contentious man), too (26:20-21). Second, words “go down into the innermost parts of the body.” They deeply affect the hearer and are not easily forgotten (26:22). Third, words are able to disguise hatred in one’s heart, as the ugliness of an earthen vessel can be disguised when it is overlaid with silver (26:23-26). Fourth, the deceptive words of the wicked man are not only dangerous to the hearer, but will cause trouble for himself (26:27; cf. 12:13). Fifth, a lying and flattering tongue is able to crush and ruin those it hates.
