10
In proportion to the fuel, so will the fire burn, and in proportion to the obstinacy, so will strife increase; in proportion to a person's strength will be his anger, and in proportion to his wealth he will increase his wrath.
11
A hasty quarrel kindles a fire, and a hasty dispute sheds blood.
12
If you blow on a spark, it will glow; if you spit on it, it will be put out; yet both come out of your mouth.
13
Curse the gossips and the double-tongued, for they destroy the peace of many.
14
Slander has shaken many, and scattered them from nation to nation; it has destroyed strong cities, and overturned the houses of the great.
15
Slander has driven virtuous women from their homes, and deprived them of the fruit of their toil.
16
Those who pay heed to slander will not find rest, nor will they settle down in peace.
17
The blow of a whip raises a welt, but a blow of the tongue crushes the bones.
18
Many have fallen by the edge of the sword, but not as many as have fallen because of the tongue.
19
Happy is the one who is protected from it, who has not been exposed to its anger, who has not borne its yoke, and has not been bound with its fetters.
20
For its yoke is a yoke of iron, and its fetters are fetters of bronze;