“Grant, O Lord, that my tongue be not given to evil speaking, nor my lips to deceitful words. Keep me, good Lord, that I neither slander nor backbite my neighbour, but that I may ever speak the truth in love, and so order my words that they may edify and not destroy. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of my …
Quote of the Week, The Fruit of Well-Speaking, by Richard Hooker, 16th Century
“The fruit of well‑doing is a quiet conscience, and the fruit of well‑speaking is a good name.” —Richard Hooker (1554-1600) Source: Richard Hooker, Of the Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity, in The Works of that Learned and Judicious Divine Mr. Richard Hooker, ed. John Keble, 7th ed., vol. 2 (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1888), 343. Reflection: How might my speech today bear …
A Prayer to Keep Watch Over the Door of My Lips, by Jean Gerson, 15th Century
“Lord, set a guard over my mouth, and keep watch over the door of my lips, that I may not offend in word, nor speak anything unworthy of You.” — Jean Gerson (1363 – 1429) Source: Jean Gerson, Practical Guide to Spiritual Prayer, trans. unknown (London: T. Richardson, 1884), prayer section. Reflection: What kinds of words do I most need …
Quote of the Week, Learning to Speak Through Silence, by Thomas à Kempis, 15 Century
“Accustom yourself to keep silence, and you will learn to speak with wisdom.” —Thomas à Kempis (1380 – 1471) Source: Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ, trans. William Benham (London: J. M. Dent, 1907), 35. Reflection: Where might greater silence in my life be necessary for my words to become more truthful, charitable, or wise?
A Prayer for Words that Minister Grace, by John Henry Newman, 19th Century
“O Lord, give us grace to be faithful and wise in all our words; that what we speak may be seasoned with truth and charity, and may minister grace unto the hearers.” —John Henry Newman (1801–1890) Source: John Henry Newman, Meditations and Devotions (London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1893), 365. Reflection: Where might I need to let truth and charity …
Quote of the Week, Truth that Travels Slowly, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, 19th Century
“A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.” —Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834–1892) *this line appears in 19th‑century print and is widely attributed to Spurgeon in his own lifetime. It is not a paraphrase. Source: Charles Haddon Spurgeon, The Christian Advocate (New York), 1855. Reflection: Where in my own communication do I need …
A Prayer for Speech Seasoned with Grace, William Law, 18th Century
“O God, rescue me from all false, vain, and foolish talk; and let my words be such as are seasoned with salt, ministering grace unto the hearers.” — William Law (1686–1761) Source: William Law, A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life (London: William Innys, 1729), 356. (Note: Wording is exact from the 1729 edition.) Reflection: Where might God be inviting …
Quote of the Week, Choosing Restraint in Speech, by John Wesley, 18th Century
“It is the distinguishing mark of a true follower of Christ, to ‘speak evil of no man’: to put the most favourable construction on all he says and does; and to make all the allowances for him, which we desire others should make for us.” — John Wesley (1703-1791) Source: John Wesley, The Cure of Evil-Speaking (London: 1759), 3. Reflection: Where …
A Prayer for Faithful Speech, by Aelred of Rievaulx, 12th Century
“Lord, guide my tongue, that I may speak only what pleases you.” –Aelred of Rievaulx (1110–1167) Source: Aelred of Rievaulx, Prayers and Meditations, trans. Benedicta Ward (Kalamazoo, MI: Cistercian Publications, 1978), 74. Reflection: Where in my conversations today do I most need God’s help to speak with intention, gentleness, and truth?
Quote of the Week, The Weight of Our Words, by Bernard of Clairvaux, 12th Century
“Words that do not edify wound the listener and burden the speaker.” –Bernard of Clairvaux (1090–1153) Source: Bernard of Clairvaux, Sermones de Diversis, sermon 38: “Verba quae non aedificant, vulnerant audientem et gravant loquentem.” Reflection: How might this insight reshape the way we speak in moments when we feel rushed, irritated, or careless?
