The tongue's not steel, yet it cuts.

Meaning: Words inflict wounds as deep as any blade, leaving scars that heal far more slowly.

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

More proverbs about Communication

• The tongue talks at the head's cost. — Reckless speech brings consequences the speaker must bear, not those who merely listen.
• Who has not a good tongue, ought to have good hands. — Lacking eloquence in speech, one must compensate through skilled physical labor or useful…
• That is true which all men say. — What everyone believes requires no individual verification; consensus substitutes for per…
• Speak the truth and shame the devil. — Truth-telling defeats deception by exposing falsehood's powerlessness against honest word…
• Any flat can talk of change of weather. — Even the most ordinary person can observe and comment on obvious, visible phenomena occur…
• He that tells his wife news is but newly married. — A husband who shares secrets with his wife hasn't yet learned discretion is essential to…

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