11 passages · most helpful first
18Just as he is guilty who let loose the arrows and the lances unto death, 19so also is the man who harms his friend by deceitfulness. And when he has been apprehended, he says, “I did it jokingly.”
29Let no evil words proceed from your mouth, but only what is good, toward the edification of faith, so as to bestow grace upon those who listen.
4nor any indecent, or foolish, or abusive talk, for this is without purpose; but instead, give thanks.
37But let your word ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ For anything beyond that is of evil.
21Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Whoever values it shall eat from its fruits.
27And when it was now midday, Elijah ridiculed them, saying: “Cry out with a louder voice. For he is a god, and perhaps he is talking, or at an inn, or on a journey, or certainly he may be asleep, and must be awakened.”
18He who makes promises is also jabbed, as if with a sword, in conscience. But the tongue of the wise is reasonable.
16The lazy one seems wiser to himself than seven men speaking judgments.
9And the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” And he responded: “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”
1My brothers, not many of you should choose to become teachers, knowing that you shall receive a stricter judgment. 2For we all offend in many ways. If anyone does not offend in word, he is a perfect man. And he is then able, as if with a bridle, to lead the whole body around. 3For so we put bridles into the mouths of horses, in order to submit them to our will, and so we turn their whole body around. 4Consider also the ships, which, though they are great and may be driven by strong winds, yet they are turned around with a small rudder, to be directed to wherever the strength of the pilot might will. 5So also the tongue certainly is a small part, but it moves great things. Consider that a small fire can set ablaze a great forest. 6And so the tongue is like a fire, comprising all iniquity. The tongue, stationed in the midst of our body, can defile the entire body and inflame the wheel of our nativity, setting a fire from Hell.
7But avoid the silly fables of old women. And exercise yourself so as to advance in piety.