Sirach 20:17-32: a reflection

17How often, and of how many, will he be laughed to scorn! 18A slip on a pavement is better than a slip with the tongue. So the fall of the wicked will come speedily. 19A man without grace is a tale out of season. It will be continually in the mouth of the ignorant. 20A parable from a fool’s mouth will be rejected; for he won’t tell it at the proper time. 21There is one who is hindered from sinning through lack. When he rests, he will not be troubled. 22There is one who destroys his soul through bashfulness. By a foolish countenance, he will destroy it. 23There is one who for bashfulness makes promises to his friend; and he makes him his enemy for nothing. 24A lie is an ugly blot on a person. It will be continually in the mouth of the ignorant. 25A thief is better than a man who is continually lying, but they both will inherit destruction. 26The destination of a liar is dishonor. His shame is with him continually. 27He who is wise in words will advance himself. And one who is prudent will please great men. 28He who tills his land will raise his harvest high. He who pleases great men will get pardon for iniquity. 29Favors and gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and as a muzzle on the mouth, turn away reproofs. 30Wisdom that is hidden, and treasure that is out of sight— what profit is in either of them? 31Better is a man who hides his folly than a man who hides his wisdom.

Among these sayings of wisdom is a pointed comparison about the danger of careless speech: A slip on a pavement is better than a slip with the tongue. A physical slip, a stumble on the ground, may bruise us, but it passes; a slip of the tongue, a careless or harmful word, can do lasting harm, wounding others, spreading falsehood, creating enemies. The passage takes the tongue seriously, warning that a slip with it does more damage than a slip of the foot.

Notice the comparison: a slip of the tongue is worse than a slip on the ground. We take physical falls seriously, watching our step to avoid them; but a careless word can do far more harm than a physical stumble, and we can be far less careful with our speech than with our steps. A harmful or careless word can wound deeply, spread falsehood, damage relationships, and its effects can linger long after a physical bruise would have healed. The tongue can do lasting harm; a slip with it is worse than a slip on the pavement.

That is worth taking to heart, for we are often careless with our words, though a slip of the tongue can do great harm. We watch our physical steps, but speak carelessly, letting slip words that wound, that spread falsehood, that damage; and such words can do lasting harm. Guard your speech as carefully as you would guard your steps, for a slip of the tongue can do more harm than a slip of the foot. Do not be careless with your words, letting slip what wounds or harms; weigh your words, for the tongue can do lasting damage, worse than a physical stumble. Take care with your speech, mindful that a careless word can wound and harm far beyond a physical slip, as the passage warns that a slip with the tongue is worse than a slip on the pavement; guard your tongue, that your words may heal and help rather than wound and harm.

Lord, among these sayings of wisdom is a pointed comparison about the danger of careless speech: a slip on a pavement is better than a slip with the tongue. A physical slip may bruise us, but it passes; a slip of the tongue, a careless or harmful word, can do lasting harm, wounding others, spreading falsehood, creating enemies. The passage takes the tongue seriously. Show me the comparison: a slip of the tongue is worse than a slip on the ground. I take physical falls seriously, watching my step to avoid them; but a careless word can do far more harm than a physical stumble, and I can be far less careful with my speech than with my steps. A harmful word can wound deeply, and its effects can linger long after a physical bruise would have healed. Take that to my heart, for I am often careless with my words, though a slip of the tongue can do great harm. I watch my physical steps, but speak carelessly, letting slip words that wound, that spread falsehood, that damage. Help me guard my speech as carefully as I would guard my steps, for a slip of the tongue can do more harm than a slip of the foot. Keep me from being careless with my words, letting slip what wounds or harms; help me weigh my words, for the tongue can do lasting damage. Help me take care with my speech, Lord, that my words may heal and help rather than wound and harm.