"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...THE EARTH-CHILD IN THE GRASS by KATHERINE MANSFIELD SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: EMILY SPARKS by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE CHANGED WOMAN by LOUISE BOGAN MAGDALEN by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON YOUTH'S PROGENY by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON MOTHER NIGHT by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON TO J. D. H. (KILLED AT SURREY C. H., OCTOBER, 1866) by SIDNEY LANIER |