Ben Sira 20:18

18 A slip of the tongue is worse than a slip on the pavement; the wicked will go to ruin just as suddenly as a person slips and falls.

Ben Sira 20:18 In-Context

16 Then that fool will say, "Nobody likes me. Nobody appreciates what I do for them. They'll take what I give them, but then talk about me behind my back."

17 And he's right - he's a constant joke to everyone.

18 A slip of the tongue is worse than a slip on the pavement; the wicked will go to ruin just as suddenly as a person slips and falls.

19 An impolite person is like one of those off-color stories that ignorant people are always telling.

20 Nobody takes a proverb seriously when some fool quotes it at the wrong time.