Salutary Discourse
T. Kidd. Proverbs 15:4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. "A wholesome tongue" may be read, "the healing of the tongue," by which is meant, "words of healing." Salutary discourse or conversation is highly beneficial I. THIS IS EXEMPLIFIED IN JESUS CHRIST. All His words were words of healing. It is true that He reproved, and sometimes with pointed severity; but it was as a skilful surgeon, who probes the festering wound in order to an effectual cure. II. THIS IS EXEMPLIFIED IN MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL. St. Paul. III. THIS IS EXEMPLIFIED IN PRIVATE CHRISTIANS. Of what nature is the discourse of such persons? It ought certainly to be beneficial, and in order to this it must be consistent with truth, with piety, with candour, and with benevolence. Improvement: If a "wholesome tongue is a tree of life," the opposite is an instrument of death. (T. Kidd.) Parallel Verses KJV: A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. WEB: A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit.