People see the tongue as an instrument for eating. A Filipino proverb says that it is also a most powerful weapon! Here are other sayings about it, as compiled by Damiana Eugenio:
A flood may be stopped, but not a wagging tongue.
A honeyed tongue often lies.
A person’s tongue is only three inches long, but it can kill a king.
A wound can be healed, but not the cruelty of the tongue.
If the tongue and teeth bite each other, how much more people who don’t know each other?
Be slow of tongue, but quick of eye.
Better a slip of the foot than a slip of the tongue!
Do not accustom your tongue to uttering boastful words, for if you cannot fulfill them, it will be the greater shame.
He who has a sharp tongue is detested by many.
Don’t have a loose tongue, because the walls have ears.
If your tongue is like fire, you collect enemies.
A tongue is not sharp, but it can wound a heart.
The tongue is the willing slave of the will. If you have good will, your tongue is very sweet; if you have an evil conscience, your tongue is a veritable grill.
The crocodile of the body is the tongue.
A sharp tongue is more poisonous than a venomous snake.
Watch your tongue, because it’s like a sword—and your lips because they’re like a pair of shears!
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