---

Here are several kinds of speech.

I. THE SELF-PROFITING AND SELF-RUINOUS IN SPEECH. The speech of a good man which is enlightened, truthful, pure, generous, is of service to himself in many ways. By it he promotes the development of his own spiritual being, he gratifies his own moral nature, and produces in hearers results which are delightful to his own observation. The corrupt speech of the ungodly is a violence to reason, conscience, social propriety. The sinful tongue of the transgressor inflicts the most violent injuries on his own nature.

II. THE SELF-CONTROLLED AND THE SELF-RECKLESS IN SPEECH.

1. Controlled speech may be useful. The tongue is a member that requires controlling. Passion and impulse are constantly stimulating it to action.

2. Reckless speech may be dangerous. One spark from a lawless tongue has often kindled conflagrations in families, churches, and nations. Quarles says, "Give not thy tongue too much liberty, lest it take thee prisoner."

(D. Thomas, D.D.)

---

---

KJV: A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.

WEB: By the fruit of his lips, a man enjoys good things; but the unfaithful crave violence.