Over the past few years I have asked
some people if they can go for 24 hrs
without saying any unkind words about
or to anybody. .... I respond by saying,
"Those who can't answer 'yes' must
recognize that you have a serious problem.

If you can't go for 24 hrs without drinking
liquor, you are addicted to alcohol.
If you can't go for 24 hrs without smoking,
you are addicted to nicotine. Similarly,
if you can't go 24 hrs without saying
unkind words about others, then you
have lost control of your tongue."
........ Well, just think about your own life
for a minute. Unless you or someone
dear to you has been the victim of
terrible physical violence, chances are
the worst pains you have suffered in life
have come from words used cruelly, i.e.
from ego-destroying criticism, excessive
anger, sarcasm, betraying of secrets,
rumors and malicious gossip. ..........

.......Obviously negative comments
we make about absent companions is
but one common way we hurt others
with words. ...... Because words can be
used to inflict devastating and irrevocable
suffering and damage, Jewish teachings
go so far as to compare cruel words
to murder. A penitent can return the
money he has stolen; a murderer,
no matter how sincerely he repents,
cannot restore the victim to life.
Similarly, one who damages another's
reputation through malicious gossip and
lies can never fully undo the damage.
You may be giving life or taking life
with your words: pay attention to
what you say -- choose your words
wisely and well in this New Year !