18 The one who conceals hatred has lying lips,
and whoever utters slander is a fool.
19 When words are many, transgression is not lacking,
but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;
the heart of the wicked is of little worth.
21 The lips of the righteous feed many,
but fools die for lack of sense.
A great deal is said in Proverbs about words, and this chapter is no exception (see also 31,32). If a man has hatred smouldering in his heart, his words cannot be trusted, and at any opportune moment it will be seen just how little they are to be trusted. It is the same with slanderers and talebearers (for the first, see 2 Samuel 3:27, and for the second, Jeremiah 37:11-15). The thought continues in 19. Words should be used sparingly and wisely. We are enjoined to be 'slow to speak' in James 1:19. 'Refraineth' indicates the need to put a rein on our tongues. Jesus said, 'By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned' (Matthew 12:37). If there are too many of them, some of them are sure to be ill-advised, and likely to cause trouble. Besides, if we habitually talk too much, we will get a reputation for it, and certain conclusions will be drawn concerning us, and a certain reserve will be seen to develop in people's attitudes towards us. We should notice the association of tongue and heart in 20: they are used almost synonymously, for the good reason that what our heart feels our tongue will sooner or later say. The two metaphors in 20 and 21 bear the same message. When a wise and discreet man speaks, his words have a sterling quality (20), bearing a hallmark of integrity, as silver bears its own hallmark, and they are means of sustenance to those who hear them (21). It is what a man is that sets the value of what he says.