Proverbs 18:21 (BSB)

Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

From Proverbs 18. Also in the ESV.

Commentary on Proverbs 18:21

• Matthew Henry (Presbyterian), Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on Proverbs 18:21: Note, 1. A man may do a great deal of good, or a great deal of hurt, both to others and to himself, according to the use he makes of his tongue. Many a one has been his own death by a foul tongue, or the death of others by a false tongue; and, on the contrary, many a one has saved his own life...
• John Gill (Reformed Baptist), Exposition of the Old and New Testaments on 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.
• Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (Reformed), Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible on Proverbs 18:21: Death and life--or, the greatest evil and good. that love it--that is, the tongue, or its use for good or evil. eat . . . fruit--(Compare Pro 18:19; Jam 1:19).
• Geneva Bible Notes (Reformed), Geneva Bible Study Notes on Proverbs 18:21: Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit of it. (o) By the using the tongue well or evil, comes the fruit of it either good or bad.