Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;
keep watch over the door of my lips.
—Psalm 141:3
Once a word is spoken, it can’t be unspoken. Damage done by harsh words can’t be undone.
Churches are split, feelings are hurt, and relationships are splintered by biting words.
Angry words are lightly spoken,
Bitt’rest tho’ts are rashly stirred,
Brightest links of life are broken
By a single angry word.
—H.R. Palmer
“If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are just fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless” (Jas 1:26).
Think carefully before speaking carelessly.
When you get into an argument, you have a small chance of scoring a point—and a big chance of losing a friend.
Silence is never misquoted.