And although the saying provided momentary relief from the sting of an insult, the truth is that words do hurt. Some words, in fact, take even longer to heal than broken bones. This verse, well known to all of us, teaches us more than what was created on the first day. It teaches us how the world was created. In the beginning there was the word.
Words create worlds.
We, too, intuitively know that words have tremendous power to create and to destroy. A kind word, for example, can elicit a moment of tenderness. Alternatively, a word mis- spoken can lead to bitterness. With the tongue one can commit numerous great and mighty transgressions such as informing, tale-bearing, scoffing, flattery and telling lies. And none of these bring benefit to the owner of the tongue.