"I have never been hurt by anything I didn't say." Calvin Coolidge

It's a funny thing with kids: after they are born we can hardly wait until they start talking, then after they learn to talk we can hardly wait for them to shut up! Someone has observed that children go through four stages in their communication with their fathers. First, they call you "Da-da." Then they call you "Daddy." Then they call you "Dad." Then they call you "collect!"

Solomon was extremely concerned that his children be wise in the way they used their tongues. He makes this extremely strong statement about that little critter that lies behind our ivory cages. "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." (Prov. 18:21)

Almost one hundred years ago this statement was ma…