Right Speech

Eiderdown Fluff helps you sleep

Gongs & Owlhoots may make you weep–A

Helping voice’ll aid your rest

Three sheets and wind may be your death

..

I have never read Edwin Newman’s Strictly Speaking, nor his A Civil Tongue, but I infer from the titles that Right Speech was the subject in both cases. And here in the American Heartland, one of the most lamentatious sentiments in our group mind is “Me and my big mouth!” Right Speech can move mountains and inspire greatness. Wrong speech can make enemies and sometimes even get people killed.