The whip leaves a mark but the lash of the tongue shatters bones.

Many have felled by the sword but many more have perished by the tongue.

Look, you put a fence around your property and protect your silver and gold. In the same way, make weights and scales for your words and put a bolted door at your mouth.

Beware of a slip the tongue when you speak, lest you fall in front of those who lie in wait for you.