Pro 25:15 | NET2full | STEP | Through patience a ruler can be persuaded , and a soft tongue can break a bone .

‏ Proverbs 25:15

15 Through patience ^{▼▼tn Heb “long of anger” or “forbearance” (so NASB).} a ruler can be persuaded, ^{▼▼tn The two imperfect verbs in this line may be nuanced as potential imperfects because what is described could happen, but does not do so as a rule.}
and a soft tongue ^{▼▼tn The “tongue” is a metonymy of cause; and so the expression here refers to soft or gentle speech. This fits well with the parallel idea of patience (“long of anger”)—through a calm patient persuasion much can be accomplished. Some English versions relate this figure directly to the persuasion of a ruler in the previous line (cf. TEV “can even convince rulers”).} can break a bone. ^{▼▼sn The idea of breaking a bone uses the hardest and most firm part of the body in contrast to the “softness of the tongue.” Both are figurative, forming a comparison. A gentle speech can break down any stiff opposition.}