The tongue has no bones, but it is strong enough to break a heart

Meaning: Words, though intangible, can inflict deep and lasting wounds.

Origin: Widespread proverb found in Eastern European and Middle Eastern folk wisdom traditions.

Translations

• French: La langue n'a pas d'os, mais elle est assez forte pour briser un cœur (literally: The tongue has no bones, but is strong enough to break a heart)
• Spanish: La lengua no tiene huesos, pero es suficientemente fuerte para romper un corazón (literally: The tongue has no bones, but it is strong enough to break a heart)
• Japanese: 舌に骨はないが、心を砕くには十分に強い (Shita ni hone wa nai ga, kokoro wo kudaku niwa jūbun ni tsuyoi) (literally: The tongue has no bone, but it is strong enough to crush a heart)

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