John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 12:18
There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword ,.... Whose words are like sharp swords, cutting, wounding, dividing, killing; see Psalm 57:4 ; such are the words of false witnesses, who by their false testimonies and perjuries are as guilty of the murder of men as cutthroats; such are the words of slanderers, backbiters, and talebearers, who grieve the innocent, wound their characters, destroy their good name and credit, and separate chief friends; and such are the words of... read more
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 12:18
The tongue is death or life, poison or medicine, as it is used. 1. There are words that are cutting and killing, that are like the piercings of a sword. Opprobrious words grieve the spirits of those to whom they are spoken, and cut them to the heart. Slanders, like a sword, wound the reputation of those of whom they are uttered, and perhaps incurably. Whisperings and evil surmises, like a sword, divide and cut asunder the bounds of love and friendship, and separate those that have been dearest... read more