A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for strokes.
Were it not for foolish words, there would be no contention. There are some words that will just irritate others around us. They are words that provoke. Sometimes they are proud, bragging words in which we compare ourselves to others, and goad them into a “Who-is-the-better-person?” contest.
So what do you do with somebody who runs off at the mouth? Human relationships are often tenuous things, and social units like families and churches can easily come apart when fools speak their minds. In order to maintain peace and order in the home or the community, any father or leader must stop foolish talk. Here is a definitive reason why a father and mother should use the rod or spanking paddle on their children. The tongue is an unruly member and must be properly trained; the rod is one important method by which this is done.
A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
Sometimes it is imprudent to discipline a fool in his foolishness. He may turn upon you with even more animus and work hard to destroy your reputation with more slander and foolish talking. Many who were subjected to attacks on the Internet have found this to be the case today. To argue with fools is akin to striking the tar baby, in which you are increasingly entangled the more you try to oppose it. It would be better to leave the fool alone. Simply ignore him in his tirade, and in time he will destroy himself.
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
There is a common saying that has become, in the minds of many, a sort of truism. It says, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Of course, this is nothing but empty bravado and should be rejected in the face of this Proverb. Words are powerful things, either to bless or to curse, to edify or to destroy. Would you rather stick your friend in the stomach with a sword or gossip about him behind his back? Not many people have what it takes to overcome their inhibitions and stick a real knife in the body of an enemy, let alone a friend. Yet, they will use their tongues in an irresponsible way such that they will wound their friend, and perhaps even wound him for life. When you were young, your parents taught you to be careful with knives. You knew that you couldn’t throw them around the kitchen willy-nilly. Certainly the tongue demands equal care. Respect the power of the tongue!
1. Discuss some of the reasons why words are so powerful. In what ways can foolish words be destructive to the person speaking?
2. What is foolish talk? What sorts of things might be said in a car trip that would provoke contention and make the whole trip miserable? For what kind of talk might your parents need to discipline you?
3. How might you destroy a friendship by the use of the tongue?