en_tn/pro/18/21.md

# Death and life are controlled by the tongue

This can be written in active form. AT: "The tongue can lead to life of death" or "What people say can lead to life or death" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

# by the tongue ... love the tongue

Here the "tongue" refers to speech. AT: "by what people say ... love speaking" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

# will eat its fruit

This speaks of a person receiving the consequence for what he says as if the consequences were fruit that he receives. AT: "will receive its consequences" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])