15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.
15 Patient persistence pierces through indifference; gentle speech breaks down rigid defenses. A Person Without Self-Control
15 By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded, And a gentle tongue breaks a bone.
15 Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can break bones.
14 "Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her.
14 Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably
14 "Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her.
14 "And now, here's what I'm going to do: I'm going to start all over again. I'm taking her back out into the wilderness where we had our first date, and I'll court her.
14 "Therefore, behold, I will allure her, Will bring her into the wilderness, And speak comfort to her.
14 "But then I will win her back once again. I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her there.
(Read Hosea 2:14-23)
After these judgments the Lord would deal with Israel more gently. By the promise of rest in Christ we are invited to take his yoke upon us; and the work of conversion may be forwarded by comforts as well as by convictions. But usually the Lord drives us to despair of earthly joy, and help from ourselves, that, being shut from every other door, we may knock at Mercy's gate. From that time Israel would be more truly attached to the Lord; no longer calling him Baali, or "My lord and master," alluding to authority, rather than love, but Ishi, an address of affection. This may foretell the restoration from the Babylonish captivity; and also be applied to the conversion of the Jews to Christ, in the days of the apostles, and the future general conversion of that nation; and believers are enabled to expect infinitely more tenderness and kindness from their holy God, than a beloved wife can expect from the kindest husband. When the people were weaned from idols, and loved the Lord, no creature should do them any harm. This may be understood of the blessings and privileges of the spiritual Israel, of every true believer, and their partaking of Christ's righteousness; also, of the conversion of the Jews to Christ. Here is an argument for us to walk so that God may not be dishonoured by us: Thou art my people. If a man's family walk disorderly, it is a dishonour to the master. If God call us children, we may say, Thou art our God. Unbelieving soul, lay aside discouraging thoughts; do not thus answer God's loving-kindness. Doth God say, Thou art my people? Say, Lord, thou art our God.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 25:15
Commentary on Proverbs 25:15
(Read Proverbs 25:15)
Be patient to bear a present hurt. Be mild to speak without passion; for persuasive language is the most effectual to prevail over the hardened mind.