17 Whoso uttereth faithfulness declareth righteousness, And a false witness—deceit.

18 A rash speaker is like piercings of a sword, And the tongue of the wise is healing.

19 The lip of truth is established for ever, And for a moment—a tongue of falsehood.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 12:17-19

Commentary on Proverbs 12:17

(Read Proverbs 12:17)

It is good for all to dread and detest the sin of lying, and to be governed by honesty.

Commentary on Proverbs 12:18

(Read Proverbs 12:18)

Whisperings and evil surmises, like a sword, separate those that have been dear to each other. The tongue of the wise is health, making all whole.

Commentary on Proverbs 12:19

(Read Proverbs 12:19)

If truth be spoken, it will hold good; whoever may be disobliged, still it will keep its ground.