A friend in words; any one who by his conversation seems desirous of being esteemed a friend, but whose kindness extends no further; who is free in promising, but very backward in performing any friendly office, is the kind of person intended to be censured by this adage. Pollicitis dives, quilibet esse potest, any man may be liberal in promises, they cost nothing. Il se ruine a promettre, et s'acquitte à ne rien tenir, he ruins himself by promising, but saves himself by not performing, for promettre et tenir sont deux, there is a great difference between saying and doing, which is also a Spanish axiom, Del dicho al hecho, ay gran trecho. Il nous a promis monts et merveilles, he promises mountains; more in a month, we say, than he will perform in a year.

To war with the tongue, to spend the whole of one's rage in coarse and rude language, in threats which we have neither the power, nor inclination, perhaps, to carry into execution, is the resort of weak and cowardly persons. Much of this wordy war is practised at the bar, particularly by those defending a bad cause. Qui aspidis venenum in lingua circumferunt, the poison of asps is under their lips. Wounds made with the tongue are often more hurtful than those made with the sword. La lengua del mal amigo, mas corta que el cuchillo, the tongue of a false friend is sharper than a knife, cuts deeper. La lengua no ha osso, e osso fa rompere, the tongue breaks bones, though itself has none. Mors et vita in manibus linguæ, it is often the arbiter of life and death. An intemperate tongue is not only injurious to others, but to its possessor, it is therefore said, Vincula da lingure vel tibi vincula dabit, restrain your tongue, or it will bring you into restraint. Hence there is no precept more frequently or more strongly inculcated, than to set a guard over that mischievous member. He that keepeth his mouth, keepeth his life, but he that openeth wide his lips, shall have destruction, and the tongue of the wise is health. En boca cerrada no entra moscha, flies do not enter into the mouth that is shut, or, no mischief can ensue from being silent; and an ounce of honey will catch more flies than a gallon of vinegar. William Paulet, Marquis of Winchester, who filled high offices in th state, during the reigns of Henry the Eighth, Edward the Sixth, and the Queens Mary and Elizabeth, being asked by what means he had preserved himself through so many changes, said, «by being a willow, and not an oak».

A tongue not to be silenced. Qui rationibus convicti, non cedunt tamen, who though convicted, overcome by argument, still refuse to yield. Nunquam persuadebis, quamvis persuaseris, although you have convicted me, you shall not convince me. Determined, obstinate incredulity.