To watch over mouth and tongue is to keep out of trouble. Proverbs 21:23, NRSV

I can’t say I noticed it until now how often it comes up in Proverbs – this ongoing admonition to watch what I say. All these warnings to watch what I say point to a very big truth: the words I choose and the tone of voice I use matter because I can’t take them back once I’ve released them into the world. I can apologize for harsh words hastily spoken, but I can’t unsay them. What I say holds something true about who I am and how I feel about another person – at least in a particular moment in time.

I keep myself out of trouble when I watch my mouth, but I’m not the only one. By refusing to strike out at others verbally, I save them a troubling of spirit – not a physical cut or bruise, but a blow just the same. Minding my words is also following a wise and ancient commandment: first, do no harm.