Better that the feet slip than the tongue.

Meaning: A physical misstep heals quickly, but careless words cause lasting damage to relationships and reputation.

Origin: From 'A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases' (1870). Public domain.

Translations

• French: Mieux vaut glisser du pied que de la langue (literally: Better a slip of the foot than of the tongue)

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