Translation commentary on Proverbs 12:18

The sense of this verse is: bad talk hurts, gentle words heal.

“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts”: “There is” is the translation of an expression that notes the existence of something or someone. In some languages this need not be translated; in others there are natural expressions that have this same function. In English, for instance, people say “There are people who. . .” or “Some people. . ..” Line 2 shows that what is said in line 1 most likely refers to the wicked, the fool, or the unwise person. We may also speak generally by saying, for example, “Rash words are like. . ..” “Rash words” renders a form that refers to words that are spoken too quickly and without adequate thought. These hasty words are compared with “sword thrusts”, which are quick jabs made with a sword. As suggested in line 2 by the use of the word “healing”, the “thrusts” in line 1 cause wounds and injury, if only figuratively.

In languages where “swords” are not known, it may be necessary to substitute another sharp instrument such as a spear, knife, or bayonet, if the simile is kept.

“But the tongue of the wise brings healing”: “The tongue” is used here not in a literal sense but as an image of speech. A translation should not allow people to think that the wounds caused in line 1 are healed by licking. We may say, for example, “the words spoken by the wise,” “words of wisdom,” or “what wise people say.” The verb “brings” is supplied by Revised Standard Version. “Healing” is the mental, physical, or spiritual process of restoring someone to health or to a sound state. “Brings healing” can be also expressed as “makes a person well” or “helps people like good medicine.”

We may translate the verse, for example: “Words spoken too hastily can wound a person as a sword does, but healing comes from words spoken by a wise person.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

complete verse (Proverbs 12:18)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 12:18:

  • Kupsabiny: “Words that are reckless pierces like a sword/knife,
    but the words of a wise person heals people.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Words spoken carelessly
    inflict wounds like a sword,
    But carefully spoken words
    even heal [such] wounds.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Words that have- not -been-thought well before it were spoken can-hurt like a sword, but the words that have-been-thought well before it were spoken can-make-good.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Hurtful words are like a sword that is able-to-wound, but the words of the wise are able-to-heal.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • English: “What some people say hurts people badly, as much as a sword can;
    but what wise people say heals others’ souls/comforts others.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 12:18

12:18

Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:

18a
Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword,

18b but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

This verse contrasts the harmful effects of reckless words and the healing effects of wise words.

12:18a

Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword: The phrase Speaking rashly refers to impulsive or thoughtless words. These are words that a person says hastily without thinking of the consequences.

This clause is a simile. In this simile, reckless words are compared to sword thrusts. The similarity is that both cause deep wounds. Some ways to translate this simile are:

• Keep the simile, as most English versions have done. For example:

Thoughtless words can wound like a sword (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Careless words stab like a sword (New Century Version)

• If swords are not well known, substitute something similar such as a knife or machete. For example:

Words thoughtlessly spoken are like the stabs of a knife

• Focus on the function of a sword rather than mentioning the sword itself. For example:

Some people make cutting remarks (New Living Translation (2004))

12:18b

but the tongue of the wise brings healing: the tongue of the wise is a figure of speech. It represents the words that wise people speak. Such words heal or soothe the hurt or trouble that is caused by thoughtless words.

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