Classic Poem

Boneless tongue, so small and weak, The
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!”

Boneless tongue, so small and weak, The
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!”