"The boneless tongue, so small and weak, Can crush and kill," declares the Greek. "The tongue destroys a greater hoard," The Turk asserts, "than does the sword." A Persian proverb wisely saith, "A lengthy tongue -- an early death"; Or sometimes takes this form instead, "Don't let your tongue cut off your head." "The tongue can speak a word whose speed," The Chinese say, "outstrips the steed"; While Arab sages this impart, "The tongue's great storehouse is the heart." From Hebrew wit 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!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A CARELESS HEART by ISAAC ROSENBERG THE BANKS O' DOON by ROBERT BURNS THE THREE LITTLE KITTENS (A CAT'S TALE, WITH ADDITIONS) by ELIZA LEE CABOT FOLLEN THE LUTE OBEYS by THOMAS WYATT PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 80, 81. GHAFOOR, MUNTAKIM by EDWIN ARNOLD THE PILGRIM by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD HINC LACHRIMAE; OR THE AUTHOR TO AURORA: 13 by WILLIAM BOSWORTH |