“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” —King David, Tenth century B.C., Psalms 19:14, New International Version of the Bible

“From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him.” —King Solomon, Tenth century B.C., Proverbs 12:14, New International Version of the Bible

“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” —King Solomon, Tenth century B.C., Proverbs 12:18, New International Version of the Bible

“A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” —King Solomon, Tenth century B.C., Proverbs 25:11, New International Version of the Bible

“From his tongue flowed speech sweeter than honey.”
—Homer, c.700 B.C., The Iliad, Book I, Line 249

“The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.” —Confucius, 551-479 B.C., The Confucian Analects, Book 14:29

“Without knowing the force of words, it is impossible to know men.” —Confucius, 551-479 B.C., The Confucian Analects, Book 20:3, iii

“I have often regretted my speech, never my silence.” —Publius Syrus, First century B.C., Maxim 1070

“Speech is a mirror of the soul: as a man speaks, so is he.” —Publilius Syrus, First century B.C., Maxim 1073

“By your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” —Jesus, First century, Matthew 12:37 New International Version of the Bible

“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” —St. Paul, First century, Philippians 4:8, New International Version of the Bible

“...[S]et an example...in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” —St. Paul, First century, I Timothy 4:12 New International Version of the Bible

“Mend your speech a little, Lest you may mar your fortunes.” —William Shakespeare, 1564-1616, King Lear, Act I, Scene I, Line 79

“Good words are worth much, and cost little.” —George Herbert, 1593-1633, Jacula Prudentum, Number 155

“The pen is mightier than the sword.” —Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1803-1873, Richelieu, Act II, Scene II

“Well-timed silence hath more eloquence than speech.” —Martin Farquhar Tupper, 1810-1889, Proverbial Philosophy: Of Discretion

“The difference between the almost-right word and the right word is really a large matter—it's the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” —Mark Twain, 1835-1910, Letter to George Bainton