If once they find an entrance to the mind, they are very apt to return, and to establish for themselves a permanent occupation there.
It is necessary to one's personal happiness, to exercise control over one's words as well as acts: for there are words that strike even harder than blows; and men may "speak daggers," though they use none.

"UN COUP DE LANGUE," says the French proverb, "EST PIRE QU'UN COUP DE LANCE." The stinging repartee that rises to the lips, and which, if uttered, might cover an adversary with confusion, how difficult it sometimes is to resist saying it! "Heaven keep us," says Miss Bremer in her 'Home,' "from the destroying power of words! There are words which sever hearts more than sharp swords do; there are words the point of which sting the heart through the course of a whole life." Thus character exhibits itself in self-control of speech as much as in anything else.

The wise and forbearant man will restrain his desire to say a smart or severe thing at the expense of another's feelings; while the fool blurts out what he thinks, and will sacrifice his friend rather than his joke.

"The mouth of a wise man," said Solomon, "is in his heart; the heart of a fool is in his mouth." There are, however, men who are no fools, that are headlong in their language as in their acts, because of their want of forbearance and self-restraining patience.

The impulsive genius, gifted with quick thought and incisive speech--perhaps carried away by the cheers of the moment--lets fly a sarcastic sentence which may return upon him to his own infinite damage.