‘Why, words, did I let you get out? I have often been sorry that I have spoken, never that I have been silent.” Arsenius, a desert father

How often have we spoken harmful words and regretted for having spoken them? But it was too late, the damage was done. We can apologize and repent, but the effects of our words are still there. What is needed is to think before we speak, something hard for many of us. Is what we are about to say said in love; is it the truth; will it build up the person; does it need to be said? We all know how it feels when others speak to us unkind words. We all know the hurt it causes in us.  This should be enough to give us pause before we speak unkindly to others.