When I was around 9 years old my older brother, Danny, told me in no uncertain terms, “Larry, you had better learn to watch your mouth if you want to keep your teeth.” A few weeks after that imparted wisdom he gave up and began teaching me to fight. He knew more about mixed martial arts before there was a name for it than some of the modern experts on the subject today. His help certainly saved my teeth, though in later life I learned the value of making wiser choices in the use of words.
Years ago I gave a speech and during the course of the speech I repeated the old saw, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words don’t hurt a bit.” After the speech a Dr.’s wife came up to me and stated, “Dr. Lilly, I beg to differ with you, “Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words can break your heart.” How painfully true. I have remembered her statement now for over 25 years.
Words can be used to calm us, to encourage, to enrage, to incite to action, good or bad depending on the choice of words. Words can lead us in the right direction or entice us to evil. Words can influence victory or defeat.
The writer of The Jungle Book, Rudyard Kipling, stated in a speech, “Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.” Quoted in The Times (February 15, 1923).
“The most powerful drug used by mankind.” Solomon commented on this with this poetic statement in Proverbs 25:11, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.”
The wise choice of words may save your teeth, reconcile a marriage, reconcile warring nations, or land the contract or job you want. In 2012 Chuck Swindoll wrote a book, Saying It Well, subtitled Touching Others with your words. I wish I had read the book in 1950! Here’s a gem from the book that fits me to a “T.” “Those who “say it well” savor sweet memories of past successes, but they see their best days lying somewhere in the future.”
See if this by Patience Strong gives you a better look at the future, a good dose of word drugs.
The Best is yet to Be
"The best is never over
The best is never gone,
There’s always something lovely
To keep you struggling on.
For every cross you bear,
there’s a secret consolation
Hidden somewhere.
Ends are really beginnings
As someday you will see,
The best is never over,
the best is yet to be."
Copyright © 2015 Larry Lilly
The last word in IT is Oral Deckard
Years ago I gave a speech and during the course of the speech I repeated the old saw, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words don’t hurt a bit.” After the speech a Dr.’s wife came up to me and stated, “Dr. Lilly, I beg to differ with you, “Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words can break your heart.” How painfully true. I have remembered her statement now for over 25 years.
Words can be used to calm us, to encourage, to enrage, to incite to action, good or bad depending on the choice of words. Words can lead us in the right direction or entice us to evil. Words can influence victory or defeat.
The writer of The Jungle Book, Rudyard Kipling, stated in a speech, “Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.” Quoted in The Times (February 15, 1923).
“The most powerful drug used by mankind.” Solomon commented on this with this poetic statement in Proverbs 25:11, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.”
The wise choice of words may save your teeth, reconcile a marriage, reconcile warring nations, or land the contract or job you want. In 2012 Chuck Swindoll wrote a book, Saying It Well, subtitled Touching Others with your words. I wish I had read the book in 1950! Here’s a gem from the book that fits me to a “T.” “Those who “say it well” savor sweet memories of past successes, but they see their best days lying somewhere in the future.”
See if this by Patience Strong gives you a better look at the future, a good dose of word drugs.
The Best is yet to Be
"The best is never over
The best is never gone,
There’s always something lovely
To keep you struggling on.
For every cross you bear,
there’s a secret consolation
Hidden somewhere.
Ends are really beginnings
As someday you will see,
The best is never over,
the best is yet to be."
Copyright © 2015 Larry Lilly
The last word in IT is Oral Deckard
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