Charles Ellicott Commentary Proverbs 18:21

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." — Proverbs 18:21 (ASV)

Death and life are in the power of the tongue. —See above on Proverbs 4:23, where much the same power is attributed to the heart as is here given to the tongue as being its exponent. (Compare to Proverbs 12:13.)

Those who love it—that is, to use it.