By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
The saying belongs to Hezekiah's collection of Solomonic proverbs, chapters 25-29, gathered about three hundred years after Solomon. By long forbearing even a prince or ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue figuratively breaks the bone, overcoming firm and stubborn resistance through the power of kind words rather than force.
In presenting religious duty, truth should be made clear without forcing anyone, for patience and a soft manner help persuade people. A gentle word overcomes resistance, while harsh scolding does not correct faults and may do harm. Patience and gentle, tactful speech persuade and influence others, and thoughtfulness toward others wins their love.
Patient softness conquers the hardest resistance by unceasing flow. As the sea by ceaseless soft waves wears away solid rocks, rends promontories, lays low massy hills, and turns stones to sand, so love ever flowing upon the proud rocks of the human heart causes hard-resisting sin to yield. Coming and going and ever flowing in with soft ceaseless roll, it continues until all resistance is spent and the hardest hearts yield at last.
The saying belongs to Hezekiah's collection of Solomonic proverbs, chapters 25-29, gathered about three hundred years after Solomon. By long forbearing even a prince or ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue figuratively breaks the bone, overcoming firm and stubborn resistance through the power of kind words rather than force.
In presenting religious duty, truth should be made clear without forcing anyone, for patience and a soft manner help persuade people. A gentle word overcomes resistance, while harsh scolding does not correct faults and may do harm. Patience and gentle, tactful speech persuade and influence others, and thoughtfulness toward others wins their love.
Patient softness conquers the hardest resistance by unceasing flow. As the sea by ceaseless soft waves wears away solid rocks, rends promontories, lays low massy hills, and turns stones to sand, so love ever flowing upon the proud rocks of the human heart causes hard-resisting sin to yield. Coming and going and ever flowing in with soft ceaseless roll, it continues until all resistance is spent and the hardest hearts yield at last.