The first vertue, sone, if thou wilt lerne,
Is to restreyne and kepen wel thy tonge.

The first vertue, sone, if thou wilt lerne,
Is to restreyne and kepen wel thy tonge.

The tongue is the vile slave's vilest part.
[Lat., Lingua mali pars pessima servi.]

The tongue is the vile slave's vilest part.
[Lat., Lingua mali pars pessima servi.]

He rolls it under his tongue as a sweet morsel.

He rolls it under his tongue as a sweet morsel.

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law
of kindness.

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law
of kindness.

Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride
of man: thou shalt keep them read more

Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride
of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the
strife of tongues.

The stroke of the tongue breaketh the bones. Many have fallen by
the edge of the sword; but not read more

The stroke of the tongue breaketh the bones. Many have fallen by
the edge of the sword; but not so many as have fallen by the
tongue.

The language I have learnt these forty years,
My native English, now I must forgo;
And now read more

The language I have learnt these forty years,
My native English, now I must forgo;
And now my tongue's use is to me no more
Than an unstringed viol or a harp,
Or like a cunning instrument cased up
Or, being open, put into his hands
That knows no touch to tune the harmony.

Tongues I'll hang on every tree
That shall civil sayings show. . . .

Tongues I'll hang on every tree
That shall civil sayings show. . . .

I should think your tongue has broken its chain.

I should think your tongue has broken its chain.