The words that come out of the mouth cannot be seen or touched. That is why many people talk recklessly without being aware of their words. But words can be really dangerous. Counselors define words as invisible swords. A single word can pay off a large debt, but a tongue can also arouse great anger.
The best words of all are words of praise. Just as it is said that praise makes even whales dance, a word of praise can change a person's life. Successful people in life are those who have grown up with enough praise from their parents and adults. On the other hand, one thing that problem children, including runaway teenagers, have in common is a praise deficiency problem. Many never heard compliments of any type, so they're often searching even for negative attention.
He feels the power of words often in his work of counseling. In the many cases where the cold words thrown by parents or adults at children have pierced their hearts like a dagger and many live with this heartache for the rest of their lives. Words are a very powerful means of saving and killing people.
There is a proverb that goes: "When the words that we speak are pleasant, the words returned are beautiful." It's an old saying, but it's true. Sharp words hurt the other's heart, but there are no such results with kind words. In the end, conflicts that arise in all relationships stem from the misuse of the tongue.
But there are some things we don't really revert to very often. These are so-called words of advice. Counselors say it's best not to give advice when not asked. Because even the best advice hurts the other person's feelings. Also, people who give advice have at times an unconscious desire to show off their intelligence rather than real concern for the other, so it is better to keep your mouth shut no matter how much you want to give advice.
Is this not one of the reasons we begin each Mass with the 'confiteor' acknowledging the harm that we can do with our words? Today in the liturgy we meditate on the harm done to Jesus with words and the way it led to the Cross.
"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me." Often used by elementary school children but we all know this is not true. We all can remember words we have heard directed to us that have given great pain and continue even to old age.
"So the tongue is a little member and boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is an unrighteous world among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the cycle of nature, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by humankind, but no human being can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison" (James 3:5-8).
