The Tongue
” The boneless tongue, so small and weak,
Can crush and kill, ” declares the Greek.
” The tongue destroys a greater horde,”
The Turk asserts, ” than does the sword.”
A Persian proverb wisely said,
” A lengthy tongue– an early death.”
Or sometimes this form instead:
” Don’t let your tongue cut off your head.”
” The tongue can speak a word whose speed,”
The Chinese say, ” outstripes the steed.”
While Arab sages this impart:
” The tongue’s great storehouse is the heart.”
From Hebrew hath this maxim sprung,
” Though feet should slip, ne’er let the tongue.”
The sacred writer crowns the whole,
” Who keeps his tongue doth keep his soul!”
— Philip B. Strong
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