# His mouth was smooth as butter

"What he said was pleasant like smooth butter" or "He said nice things" 

# was hostile

"was mean" or "was hateful"

# his words

"what he said"

# his words were softer than oil

"what he said was kind and soothing like oil" or "he said kind things"

# they were actually drawn swords

"what he said wounded people as drawn swords do" or "what he said caused people trouble"