We use words to shape our thoughts, clarify them and express them. Words can inform, comfort, mislead, deceive and hurt. They have power.
Freedom of speech is a right and a privilege. A right to be protected and celebrated.
Some people have taken this to mean the right to say anything and everything, everywhere and in any way. The right of free association. The right to be rude, offensive and uncivil.
To speak with forked tongue means to speak with the intention of deceiving. There are times, however, when I think it might be wise to stick a fork in our tongues before we speak. Maybe our pain will remind us to think and to choose our words carefully. Words matter.
it is nice to see that somebody is still interested in such a topic :) difficult not to agree with you, Claire.
ReplyDeletewe have got so many "freedoms" that sometimes forget that freedom is a huge responsibility, which has become a very rare thing in our time...
Interesting photo on this post too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Anna and Mike for reading and commenting.
ReplyDeleteI was afraid it was too "preachy"...but I needed to say something about the current lack of civility that seems to be permeating the air we breathe.
I'm going back to poetry for next month's blog.
Kathy picked the photo---I agree it is cool.
By the way, I took the photo just for this blog entry!
ReplyDeleteLast comment was from Kathy!
ReplyDeleteI thought so Kathy----very cool.
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