⁴ A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
    but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

¹⁸ Rash words are like sword thrusts,
    but the tongue of the wise brings healing.^(A)

²⁴ Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
    sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

⁸ The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
    they go down into the inner parts of the body.^(A)

¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;
    those who hold her fast are called happy.^(A)

¹⁴ The human spirit will endure sickness,
    but a broken spirit—who can bear?

²² The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
    they go down into the inner parts of the body.^(A)