The word "tongue" refers to speech. The writer speaks of the words of a person who says things that help and encourage others as if they were a tree that provides life-giving nourishment. Alternate translation: "Kind words are like a tree that gives life" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
The phrase "a deceitful tongue" refers to speech that is deceitful or hurtful. The writer speaks of a person being hurt or in despair as if that person's spirit were an object that words have crushed. Alternate translation: "deceitful speech causes a person to despair" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
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