Daily Bread - Day 27

It is almost impossible to speak much, without saying what is injurious, as well as unprofitable. We seem to be under a necessity of sharing to some extent in the train of thought, and experience of others to whom we are speaking, and hardly at liberty to reject subjects pleasing to them. Thus we are led into topics and matters that are far from being religious or edifying. How much (for instance) of ordinary conversation is taken up with remarks on the conduct of and reports about others? How much of suspicion and backsliding is there! To keep clear of this we should acquire the habit of controlling our tongues, and of a conscientious reserve and silence. Besides, bow soon by not checking our talkativeness, we get our minds filled with vain and useless thoughts: thus depriving ourselves of the consciousness, so blessed, of the sweet and purifying presence of God. And, as words are outward signs and expressions of inward passions, resentful passions, and anger and contempt of others, will be sure to acquire strength by our unguarded and rash speech. On the contrary, silence will often keep the fire down, till it goes out, deprived of the fuel of words. Remarkable are Saint James' words: If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, able also to lead about the whole body. And. the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. Nor less observable is Solomon's proverb: He that keeps his mouth, and his tongue, keeps his soul from distress. Not a few Christians seem to think that sin attaches more to other parts of conduct than to speech. But let us all remember our Lord's words: I say unto you that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall render account for it in the Day of Judgment.

- text taken from Daily Bread - Bring a Few Morning Meditations for the Use of Catholic Christians by Father Richard Waldo Sibthorp