Charles Ellicott Commentary Proverbs 15:4

"A gentle tongue is a tree of life; But perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit." — Proverbs 15:4 (ASV)

A wholesome tongue: One which heals and soothes by its gentleness and judicious words. (Compare to Proverbs 12:18.)

A tree of life: Compare to Proverbs 3:18; Proverbs 11:30.

Perverseness: Distortion of the truth. (Compare to Proverbs 11:3.)

A breach in the spirit: i.e., deeply wounds another’s spirit.